Member

Amendment 21 would ensure that the Bill applies only to businesses predominantly engaged in the manufacture or processing of steel or iron for the purposes of steel manufacturing, rather than to those whose operations merely include it. The way the Bill is written is extremely wide and, as highlighted in the explanatory statement, amendment 21 would narrow the scope to avoid dragging in businesses with only minor steel operations. The current drafting is far too broad and indiscriminate and could exacerbate the chilling effect on business in this country. I am sure the Minister will want to agree to the amendment, because by tightening the definition it responds to business concerns that the legislation could create collateral damage across supply chains and related sectors. It would prevent Government overreach and unintended consequences across the wider industrial base.