British Steel has been brought into public ownership by the Government in a move that is designed to protect the future of steel production in the UK.

The Government said the move follows the Steel Industry (Nationalisation) Act receiving Royal Assent, and is set to "protect thousands of jobs, support industry that relies on UK-made steel and helps to safeguard supply chains, major infrastructure projects and national security".

The decision follows wider support for the UK steel sector, including the first-ever Steel Strategy, published in March, which is backed by up to £2.5bn of investment, setting the ambition for up to 50% of steel used in the UK to be made in the country.

The Government said that the first priorities of its new leadership team will be to stabilise operations on site, manage health and safety effectively, maintain production, and work closely with management, staff and trade unions to make British Steel a "commercially sustainable, low-carbon enterprise".

Business secretary, Peter Kyle, said "British Steel now belongs to the British people, and our focus is on the future: stabilising the business, backing the communities that rely on it and building a sustainable, competitive and decarbonised steel sector for the years ahead.”

"The Government stepped in at British Steel in April 2025 to keep the blast furnaces running and prevent a disorderly closure that would have put steel production, supply chains and thousands of jobs at risk. Since then, ministers and officials have worked intensively to find a long-term solution for the business."

Interim CEO at British Steel, Allan Bell, described the move as a "momentous day" for the UK steel industry.

He added: "We are grateful to the UK Government for the decisive action it has taken, and the support it has given our business – and our people – during such a challenging period. Together, we look to the future with great optimism and will work together to make the world-class steel Britain needs now and for decades to come."

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