South West Devon MP warns new steel rules could threaten Plymouth jobs
Rebecca Smith told Parliament that new steel regulations due in July could harm British manufacturing, with Plymouth firms warning of rising costs and major financial impacts
South West Devon MP Rebecca Smith has warned that new steel trade regulations could damage manufacturing businesses in Plymouth and Devon.
Speaking during a House of Commons debate last Wednesday (20 May), the Conservative MP said companies in the region were facing major increases in costs under new steel quotas due to come into force on July 1.
The new rules will introduce a 60 per cent reduction in tariff-free steel quotas alongside a new 50 per cent tariff on imports above quota limits.
Rebecca Smith told MPs that manufacturers in Plymouth were already warning of losses running into “hundreds of thousands” of pounds, with one business facing additional costs of at least £2 million a year.
She said: “If we impact British manufacturing inadvertently […] where the supply chain cannot always buy purely British steel, we ultimately hinder the Government’s aim to see growth, jobs, skills and manufacturing particularly around the industrial strategy.”
The MP said businesses linked to the Plymouth Manufacturers’ Group had raised concerns about the impact of the changes.
Companies she named included Alderman Tooling, Lang and Potter, Olympus Algram, Plessey, Rittal CSM and Kawasaki Precision Machinery.
During the debate, Smith also raised concerns about delays to the Government’s Defence Investment Plan, saying small and medium-sized businesses were “waiting with bated breath” for further detail.
She added: “They are not providing reassurance and security, particularly to SMEs.”
The South West Devon MP also called for faster progress on legislation linked to marine autonomy businesses operating in Plymouth and at Turnchapel Wharf.
She welcomed the proposed Regulating for Growth Bill, which she said could help companies developing autonomous maritime technology.
Ms Smith said businesses including MSubs, ZeroUSV and ACUA Ocean needed updated legislation to allow further testing and development.
She told MPs: “The coast off Plymouth is the perfect place to pilot that.”
Responding during the debate, Luke Pollard said the Government was continuing to back the UK defence industry through new investment and contracts.
He said the Government had recently announced a £50 million defence growth deal in Northern Ireland, alongside funding for minehunting drones, counter-drone systems and remote-controlled artillery.