Archive · 16 Sep 2026
UK Government Plans Acquisition of Speciality Steel Amid Crisis
The UK government wants to take over a steel company called Speciality Steel UK.
The company makes special types of steel used in airplanes, defence equipment, and advanced manufacturing.
More than 1,300 jobs could be affected.
The government had hoped another private company would buy it, but that deal did not provide enough long-term security.
Speciality Steel UK is part of Liberty Steel, which is controlled by Sanjeev Gupta.
Steel companies around the world are struggling because there is too much steel, much of it blamed on Chinese producers.
The government recently took control of another major steel company, British Steel.
Officials say acquiring Speciality Steel UK will keep different future options open.
The UK government plans to acquire Speciality Steel UK, the country's third-largest steelmaker.
More than 1,300 jobs are at stake across its specialist steel operations.
The move follows the collapse of a proposed private-sector deal after due diligence.
Speciality Steel UK entered liquidation and came under temporary government control in August 2025.
The industry is facing Chinese oversupply, lower prices, and disruption from US steel tariffs.
- Who
- The UK government, Speciality Steel UK, Liberty Steel, Sanjeev Gupta, and more than 1,300 affected workers.
- What
- The government announced plans to acquire Speciality Steel UK after a proposed private-sector deal collapsed.
- When
- The announcement was made on Monday; the company came under temporary government control in August 2025.
- Where
- At Speciality Steel UK's sites in the United Kingdom.
- Why
- Officials said the private-sector proposal did not offer long-term stability, while the steel industry is under pressure from oversupply, lower prices, and US tariffs.
Government intervention
Private-sector ownership
How to protect the company and jobs
Government intervention
The government says public acquisition is necessary to keep options open and prevent the company's future and more than 1,300 jobs from being decided by default.
Private-sector ownership
Officials initially preferred a credible private-sector solution and pursued a lead bidder, but concluded that the proposal did not provide sufficient long-term stability.
Role of the state in private companies
Government intervention
Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said the government does not intervene lightly but cannot stand aside during the company's crisis.
Private-sector ownership
The government's stated preference was to avoid taking ownership and secure a private-sector buyer instead.
- Company
- Speciality Steel UK
- Industry position
- The United Kingdom's third-largest steelmaker
- Jobs affected
- More than 1,300
- Products
- Specialist steel for aerospace, defence, and advanced manufacturing
- Government control
- Temporary control began in August 2025 after the company entered liquidation
- Parent group
- Liberty Steel, controlled by Sanjeev Gupta
- Industry pressures
- Chinese oversupply, falling prices, and tariffs imposed by the United States on steel imports