PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
British Steel: Loans (14 June 2019)

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent assessment he has made of the effect of the £120 million Government loan to British Steel in May 2019 on that company's viability; and what assessment he has made of the role of Greybull Capital in that company's insolvency.

Asked by:
Dr Rupa Huq (Labour)

As the Secretary of State for BEIS set out in his statement to the House on 1 May, the government entered into a commercial agreement with British Steel on 23 April, which provided a short term bridge facility valued at around £120 million. This ensured the company met its obligations under the EU Emissions Trading Scheme for the 2018 scheme year.

Following the recent insolvency of British Steel, the government has indemnified the Official Receive to carry out its statutory duties as liquidator. The Official Receiver is required by law to investigate the reasons for the failure of any company that enters compulsory liquidation.

Answered by:
Elizabeth Truss (Conservative)
20 June 2019