Holly Mumby-Croft ‘welcomes’ extension of steel safeguards

Holly Mumby-Croft ‘welcomes’ extension of steel safeguards

Holly Mumby-Croft, the MP for Scunthorpe, has welcomed the news that the Government will be extending the trade safeguards on steel imports to protect the British steel industry until 2024. 

Last year, the Government took unprecedented action to extend safeguards beyond the recommendations of the Trade Remedies Authority to ensure the protections, that were originally introduced when the UK was a member of the European Union, remain in place.

The EU protections were initially introduced in 2018 in retaliation against the United States erecting trade tariffs on European steel products. 

The year-long extension was due to expire on 1 July, but the new extended deal will retain measures until 2024. 

The extension will protect British steel producers from a potential surge of imports and loss of market share, shielding them from an estimated £150 million in damages. 

Mrs Mumby-Croft said she was “absolutely delighted” that the Government has stepped up to protect the Scunthorpe steel industry, adding: 

“The safeguard issue is one that my Andrew Percy and I have been campaigning heavily on to make sure we get the right outcome for our steelworks, so to see this hard work pay off has been amazing. Today is a good day for Scunthorpe and I’m chuffed to bits.  

“Nobody in this country can go a single day without relying on steel, this is a critical foundation industry for the UK. Russia’s recent invasion of Ukraine has shown how important it is to have home-based industries, so we aren’t reliant on other countries. In these uncertain times, it is more important than ever that we protect the British steel industry from unfair competition and import surges.  

“Ask anyone in Scunthorpe and they will tell you that the success of the steelworks is inherently tied to the prosperity of our local area. As a result, I know that my full focus needs to be on continuing to secure victories for steelmakers, and to build on the wider “Levelling Up” plans for our town. It is for this reason that I recently turned down a role in Government. Whilst I was honoured to be asked to serve as a Parliamentary Private Secretary, I wanted to ensure that Scunthorpe has an unencumbered advocate in Parliament. I think today’s announcement vindicates that, with steel colleagues and I fighting tooth-and-nail to secure this victory on steel safeguards.  

“Once again, this Conservative Government has shown that they are ready to take the right steps to protect jobs here in Scunthorpe.” 

A British Steel spokesman said: 

“This is excellent news for all UK steelmakers, our thousands of employees and the many supply-chain companies we work with.  

“We’re extremely grateful for the intervention of the UK Government on this vital matter and for the support we’ve been given during the process, particularly from Scunthorpe MP Holly Mumby-Croft.”