was interrupted today for a breaking news announcement as Sir Keir Starmer visited Scunthorpe to speak with steelworkers and their families. Today, the Prime Minister warned that the country's "economic and national security is on the line", with MPs and Lords being summoned from their Easter recess to debate an emergency bill to save British steel. The last event that Parliament was recalled was on 18 August 2021 to debate the escalating situation in Afghanistan. He said to hundreds of thousands of workers, "We are pleased that this emergency legislation is going through Parliament. This is legislation in the national interest."

In a new update, the emergency bill to allow the British Steel site in Scunthorpe to stay open has become law after King Charles III granted royal assent.

The act is now law and will enter force at midnight. This means the Scunthorpe steel plant will continue to stay open as the government decides on a long-term strategy for the plant and steelmaking in the UK in general.

Yesterday, Sir Keir said in a statement, "As Prime Minister, I will always act in the national interest to protect British jobs and British workers. This afternoon, the future of British Steel hangs in the balance. Jobs, investment, growth, our economic and national security are all on the line.

"I've been to Scunthorpe and I met the steelworkers. I know how important steel is, not just to the region, but to the country. It's part of our national story, part of the pride and heritage of this nation. And I'll tell you this, it is essential for our future. Our plan for change means we need more steel, not less. So we will act with urgency now."

"We should be clear this situation and our response is unique," he continued. "While it is true that we're facing a new era of global instability, our concerns about this plant and negotiations to protect it have been running for years.

"This moment could have happened at any time, but it has happened now, and I will not stand by. There is no time to waste. So we are recalling Parliament tomorrow for a Saturday sitting.

"We will pass emergency legislation in one day to give the business Secretary the powers to do everything possible to stop the closure of these blast furnaces. And as I have said, we will keep all options on the table."