UK Steel responds to appointment of Rt Hon. Kwasi Karteng MP as Secretary of State for Business Energy and Industrial Strategy

Immediate Release: Monday 11 January 2021

UK Steel: Joe Morris 07920 040 510

Commenting on the appointment of Kwasi Kwarteng to the role of Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, UK Steel Director General Gareth Stace said:

“As we enter 2021, emerge from the pandemic and face the challenges of becoming an independent trading nation, Kwasi Kwarteng has an awesome responsibility; to deliver prosperity up and down this country for sectors and industrial communities in need of investment. I congratulate him on his new role and look forward to working with him as the steel sector contributes the UK’s economic recovery and accelerates its transition towards zero-carbon steel production. I would also like to congratulate Alok Sharma on his appointment as COP26 President. It is only right that the Government appoint someone of his experience to fill the role.

“After leaving the European Union, the government should not be shy about using its new found policy levers and flexibility to make sure British taxes create British jobs. EU state-aid rules have long been highlighted as a barrier to acting on key industrial issues such as uncompetitive energy costs and public procurement of UK produced steel – so I know the new Secretary of State will be as keen as us to start addressing those quickly. Maximising the use of British made steel wherever possible is not just a matter of pride for the communities that can build a new Britain, but a matter of jobs throughout the country, across supply chains and levelling up some of the areas that have been left behind for decades.

“We can use British steel in our national projects to support our jobs, our communities and the wider UK economy at the same time as reducing our environmental impact.”