Sky News halted for huge Keir Starmer announcement in the 'national interest'

was halted for a special announcement by the Prime Minister who confirmed Parliament is being recalled tomorrow to "protect" steelmaking. "We'll pass emergency legislation in one day to give the business secretary the powers to do everything possible to stop the closure of these blast furnaces," Sir said. He added he: "will also act in the national interest to protect British jobs and British workers".

"As Prime Minister, I will always act in the national interest to protect British jobs and British workers. This afternoon, the future of British Steel hangs in the balance. Jobs, investment, growth, our economic and national security are all on the line. I've been to Scunthorpe and I met the steelworkers. I know how important steel is, not just to the region, but to the country. It's part of our national story, part of the pride and heritage of this nation. And I'll tell you this, it is essential for our future. Our plan for change means we need more steel, not less. So we will act with urgency now.

"We should be clear this situation and our response is unique," he continued. "While it is true that we're facing a new era of global instability, our concerns about this plant and negotiations to protect it have been running for years.

"This moment could have happened at any time, but it has happened now, and I will not stand by. There is no time to waste. So we are recalling Parliament tomorrow for a Saturday sitting.

"We will pass emergency legislation in one day to give the business Secretary the powers to do everything possible to stop the closure of these blast furnaces. And as I have said, we will keep all options on the table.

"Our future is in our hands. This government will not sit back and just hope we will act to secure Britain's future with British steel made in Britain in the national interest," he concluded.

His shock announcement came after , arguing was not a big enough sum.

The company has revealed its plans to shut two blast furnaces and steelmaking operations in Scunthorpe, - and many more in the supply chain - at risk after saying it was "no longer financially sustainable". The situation is so dire that Jingye warned the company will run out of raw materials within weeks.

Forecasts for the steel industry have been grim for some time. Only a week after the last conventional blast furnace closed at Port Talbot in Wales, the industry leaders warned that the outlook was about to get even worse.

There are fears of a flood of cheap Chinese steel once current restrictions are lifted in 2026. And with the US and EU imposing tariffs, much of Beijing's excess supply will be dumped on the few remaining open markets - Britain among the biggest.