Lords private notice question on what plans they have to set out details of changes to tariff-free quotas for category 4 galvanised steel imports and; what assessment they have made of the impact of those changes on (1) domestic steel production, (2) employment, (3) investment and (4) supply chains.

Lords private notice question on what plans they have to set out details of changes to tariff-free quotas for category 4 galvanised steel imports and; what assessment they have made of the impact of those changes on (1) domestic steel production, (2) employment, (3) investment and (4) supply chains.

My Lords, before I respond to the noble Lord’s Question, I first want to say that in the last couple of weeks, we have been seeing each other across the Dispatch Box quite regularly, and it is arousing some suspicion from my wife.

I welcome the opportunity to respond to the...

My Lords, before I respond to the noble Lord’s Question, I first want to say that in the last couple of weeks, we have been seeing each other across the Dispatch Box quite regularly, and it is arousing some suspicion from my wife.

I welcome the opportunity to respond to the...

My Lords, we should not have had to read in the Financial Times earlier this week that the Government had made specific changes to the steel tariff regime for a particular country, India, following negotiations over one of the United Kingdom’s most important trade agreements. I welcome the opening words...

My Lords, we should not have had to read in the Financial Times earlier this week that the Government had made specific changes to the steel tariff regime for a particular country, India, following negotiations over one of the United Kingdom’s most important trade agreements. I welcome the opening words...

My Lords, I will just say to the noble Lord that it was a pretty good try. First, there has been no change to India’s category 4 quota compared to the provisional quota published in April 2026. We did not negotiate quotas with any countries apart from our agreed outcome...

My Lords, I will just say to the noble Lord that it was a pretty good try. First, there has been no change to India’s category 4 quota compared to the provisional quota published in April 2026. We did not negotiate quotas with any countries apart from our agreed outcome...

My Lords, nearly 40,000 people are involved in steel production in this country. However, 400,000 people are involved in manufacturing as a byproduct from steel. It is really important that both sides of that industry are protected. My fear is that these tariffs may actually affect badly the manufacturing side...

My Lords, nearly 40,000 people are involved in steel production in this country. However, 400,000 people are involved in manufacturing as a byproduct from steel. It is really important that both sides of that industry are protected. My fear is that these tariffs may actually affect badly the manufacturing side...

My Lords, first, employment impacts form part of the Government’s wider assessment when determining any future steel trade measures. Our objective is to protect jobs throughout the steel

supply chain, both in primary steel production and among downstream manufacturers. We continue to engage closely with producers, manufacturers and trade bodies...

My Lords, first, employment impacts form part of the Government’s wider assessment when determining any future steel trade measures. Our objective is to protect jobs throughout the steel

supply chain, both in primary steel production and among downstream manufacturers. We continue to engage closely with producers, manufacturers and trade bodies...

My Lords, while there is a case for protection for speciality steels for sectors like the nuclear industry, surely the Government’s wider policy on quotas and tariffs is harmful to British industry as a whole. The awkward reality is that the domestic steel industry cannot supply the total demand in...

My Lords, while there is a case for protection for speciality steels for sectors like the nuclear industry, surely the Government’s wider policy on quotas and tariffs is harmful to British industry as a whole. The awkward reality is that the domestic steel industry cannot supply the total demand in...

I thank the noble Lord for the questions. I think I responded to the noble Lord on Monday on a particular Urgent Question on steel and addressed the tariff issue. However, I will address his point about imports. We have carried out a programme of extensive engagement with industry, as...

I thank the noble Lord for the questions. I think I responded to the noble Lord on Monday on a particular Urgent Question on steel and addressed the tariff issue. However, I will address his point about imports. We have carried out a programme of extensive engagement with industry, as...

My Lords, I welcome what the Government did in protecting the steel industry in this country, but do we not need to do a lot more to develop our resilience and reduce our dependence? Was the danger here not of Chinese domination of the industry? The Government were right to...

My Lords, I welcome what the Government did in protecting the steel industry in this country, but do we not need to do a lot more to develop our resilience and reduce our dependence? Was the danger here not of Chinese domination of the industry? The Government were right to...

I will first address the issue on British Steel, which I am sure is what the noble Lord is referring to. We took British Steel into public ownership immediately after we passed the Steel Industry (Nationalisation) Act. As it stands, under the Act, we will appoint an independent valuer to...

I will first address the issue on British Steel, which I am sure is what the noble Lord is referring to. We took British Steel into public ownership immediately after we passed the Steel Industry (Nationalisation) Act. As it stands, under the Act, we will appoint an independent valuer to...

My Lords, the Minister will be aware, from our earlier discussion on the steel legislation that went through this House, of my concern relating to the availability of steel for defence purposes. Can he

give an assurance that in considering these changes the Government have given full attention to the...

My Lords, the Minister will be aware, from our earlier discussion on the steel legislation that went through this House, of my concern relating to the availability of steel for defence purposes. Can he

give an assurance that in considering these changes the Government have given full attention to the...

I remember our exchanges across the Dispatch Box. As I said then, I will say now that we are mindful of the specialised steel used in any of the industries that require a speciality type of steel. We will monitor the usage but, as it stands, any steel that is...

I remember our exchanges across the Dispatch Box. As I said then, I will say now that we are mindful of the specialised steel used in any of the industries that require a speciality type of steel. We will monitor the usage but, as it stands, any steel that is...

My Lords, I am grateful to the Minister for his answers. He is always informative, courteous and diligent at that Dispatch Box. If it is true that we have, as reported, widened the quota for India, we have presumably done so on two very sensible grounds. The first is good...

My Lords, I am grateful to the Minister for his answers. He is always informative, courteous and diligent at that Dispatch Box. If it is true that we have, as reported, widened the quota for India, we have presumably done so on two very sensible grounds. The first is good...

I thank the noble Lord for those kind words. We do not import steel only from India. In fact, the largest import of steel is actually from the EU, followed very closely by Vietnam, then India, and not forgetting South Korea. Those are the principal importers of steel into this...

I thank the noble Lord for those kind words. We do not import steel only from India. In fact, the largest import of steel is actually from the EU, followed very closely by Vietnam, then India, and not forgetting South Korea. Those are the principal importers of steel into this...

My Lords, following on from the noble Lord, Lord Hannan, why does the Minister think that the overwhelming majority of economists say that tariffs harm the economy?

My Lords, following on from the noble Lord, Lord Hannan, why does the Minister think that the overwhelming majority of economists say that tariffs harm the economy?

I refer the noble Earl to other countries such as Canada and the USA, and to the EU. We are not the only country that has import tariffs. When a particular sector is impacted and it impacts on our domestic supply, it is right to have tariffs in place to...

I refer the noble Earl to other countries such as Canada and the USA, and to the EU. We are not the only country that has import tariffs. When a particular sector is impacted and it impacts on our domestic supply, it is right to have tariffs in place to...

My Lords, government action on this in the workforce is extremely welcome, because for many years our domestic steel industry was threatened by the dumping of cheap Chinese steel. This action was motivated by trying to give our steel industry a chance to grow, to win and to

provide the...

My Lords, government action on this in the workforce is extremely welcome, because for many years our domestic steel industry was threatened by the dumping of cheap Chinese steel. This action was motivated by trying to give our steel industry a chance to grow, to win and to

provide the...

My noble friend is absolutely right. We currently review tariffs, and, as it stands, we are committed to reviewing them again at the end of the 12-month period. I state again that the quotas in place were informed by evidence and analysis of market conditions. Where steels products are not...

My noble friend is absolutely right. We currently review tariffs, and, as it stands, we are committed to reviewing them again at the end of the 12-month period. I state again that the quotas in place were informed by evidence and analysis of market conditions. Where steels products are not...

I thank the Minister very much for answering questions on the Statement so fully. My understanding is that, under this round, imports of galvanised steel to the UK will triple. Some of the concerns have been about the impact on production here. As my noble friend Lord Lamont said, we...

I thank the Minister very much for answering questions on the Statement so fully. My understanding is that, under this round, imports of galvanised steel to the UK will triple. Some of the concerns have been about the impact on production here. As my noble friend Lord Lamont said, we...

My Lords, as it stands, the Government fully recognise the importance of ensuring that businesses can obtain the materials they require. That is the principal objective for this category of steel. For noble Lords who do not know what category 4 galvanised steel is, it is the steel that is...

My Lords, as it stands, the Government fully recognise the importance of ensuring that businesses can obtain the materials they require. That is the principal objective for this category of steel. For noble Lords who do not know what category 4 galvanised steel is, it is the steel that is...