British Steel could be nationalised within days; royal assent granted
British Steel could be nationalised within days after legislation to bring the firm into public ownership received a final seal of approval.
The Steel Industry (Nationalisation) Act 2026 has received royal assent and is now law, Commons deputy speaker Judith Cummins told MPs on Wednesday.
The new law allows ministers to transfer steel businesses' shares or property into public ownership.
The legislation cleared the last of its stages in Parliament on Tuesday.
Industry minister Chris McDonald said "if the public interest test is met", nationalising steel "is the right thing to do".
British Steel is currently owned by the Chinese company Jingye.
The company planned to close its Scunthorpe blast furnaces in North Lincolnshire last year.
But Parliament was recalled on a Saturday in the April to approve special measures legislation to keep the plant open.
Ministers gained new powers to tell the firm how it can use and manage its assets.
They did not take a stake in the company at the time.
It is thought the government previously tried to negotiate with British Steel's owners on a commercial sale of the company but they failed to strike a deal.
By Will Meakin-Durrant and Abbie Llewelyn, Press Association Political Staff
Press Association: Finance
source: PA
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