UK STEEL CRISIS

That this House notes with caution the proposed merger between Tata Steel and Thyssenkrupp; acknowledges the industrial logic behind that partnership that would create the second biggest steel business in Europe with all the benefits that could bring for the UK; seeks robust assurances that jobs will be protected; demands further confirmation that Tata will not be allowed to renege on its pledge of investment in Port Talbot's blast furnace number 5 to secure the long term future of UK steelmaking; insists that Thyssenkrupp's pension liabilities are ring-fenced with a cast iron guarantee that UK steelworkers will never fund German pensions; urges the companies to meet, and keep an open dialogue with, the unions Unite, Community and the GMB, hon. Members, local politicians and other stakeholders; further notes that the Government's industrial strategy must address the problem of overcapacity by increasing demand for UK steel either through direct procurement or by investing in industries which demand high quality metals; and calls on the Department for International Trade to include trade defence remedies to counteract dumping in its preparations for when the UK leaves the EU.