The UK government is inviting businesses to shape future steel trade protections and strengthen critical supply chains.
The United Kingdom’s government has initiated a significant six-week Call for Evidence, inviting crucial stakeholders from across the steel sector—including producers, consumers, and unions—to collaboratively shape the nation’s future trade approach for steel.
The current UK steel safeguard measure, a temporary intervention, is set to expire in June 2026 and cannot be extended under existing regulations. Recognizing that the complexities facing the steel industry today demand more enduring solutions than these short-term measures can provide, Ministers are actively seeking comprehensive, future-ready trade measures. The insights gathered from this extensive consultation will be instrumental in formulating new policies designed to safeguard UK businesses and employment nationwide.
This Call for Evidence is not an isolated initiative but rather a key component of the government’s broader strategy to support the steel industry. It complements a series of decisive actions to shore up the sector amidst formidable global pressures. Notably, these actions include the successful negotiation of a trade deal with the United States, which saw the removal of tariffs on steel products—a move lauded for its immediate positive impact on jobs and market stability.
Furthermore, the government has announced the forthcoming steel strategy, which is poised to articulate a long-term vision for the sector, focusing on fostering innovation, enhancing competitiveness, and building truly resilient supply chains capable of withstanding future disruptions.
The government’s commitment to revitalizing the steel sector is underscored by a series of substantial interventions and investments. Among these, a significant £500 million grant has been secured to facilitate the transformative modernization of the Port Talbot steelworks, a critical investment aimed at future-proofing one of the UK’s most important industrial sites. This is part of a larger £2.5 billion investment pledged to rebuild and strengthen the entire sector. Moreover, decisive action has been taken to safeguard British Steel’s blast furnaces at Scunthorpe, another cornerstone of the nation’s steel production.
By engaging directly with those most affected by trade policies—from the factory floor to the boardrooms—the government aims to craft measures that are not only effective but also pragmatic and widely supported.
