GB News presenter Michelle Dewberry has shared her emotional reaction to the potential closure of the Scunthorpe steel plant, saying the situation "gives me goosebumps".
Speaking on GB News, Michelle expressed deep concern about the devastating impact on families who have relied on the plant for generations.
"I don't think people or politicians truly understand the generational impact. How many people in the same family rely on this and have done so for many years," she said.
"I don't know how you can sleep at night with this happening."
Michelle Dewberry discussed the devastating blow on GB News
GB NEWS
The future of British Steel's Scunthorpe plant remains uncertain after Chinese owner Jingye cancelled all future orders for raw materials.
The site, which houses the UK's last operating blast furnaces, could close as early as next month.
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Officials are now working against the clock to secure the future of steelmaking at Scunthorpe as Britain simultaneously contends with transatlantic trade tensionsPAJingye has rejected a government offer of £500 million to replace the blast furnaces with electric arc furnaces.
The plant, which produces nearly all the steel used by Network Rail for Britain's train tracks, is reportedly running out of time to order the raw materials needed to keep the furnaces operational.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves said on Wednesday that "all options remain on the table regarding British Steel".
"This government recognises the importance of those jobs in Scunthorpe and in the local area, and we're doing everything we can to preserve those jobs and to support those communities," she stated.
Chinese owners Jingye cancelled crucial raw material orders for the Scunthorpe sitePAThe government is in "active discussion" with both the owners and trade unions to find a deal.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has also refused to rule out nationalisation of the company.
The government's negotiations with Jingye are complicated by timing issues and an incomplete review of the UK's steel strategy.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has expressed optimism, saying a deal to keep the blast furnaces burning is "within sight".
Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, she insisted a "commercial solution" was still achievable.
Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds met with the chief executives of Jingye and British Steel on Wednesday for discussions.
A statement following the meeting said: "Both sides welcomed continued cooperation in talks to find a way forward."
The government thanked Jingye "for their respect for the workforce during this process".
If the Scunthorpe plant closes, the UK would become the only G7 economy without the ability to produce "virgin steel" from scratch.
The closure would affect 2,700 workers directly, with wider implications for the local economy.
As Michelle highlighted, many families in Scunthorpe have relied on the steel industry for generations.Once blast furnaces are shut down, restarting them is prohibitively expensive, making any closure effectively permanent.
Simon Boyd, managing director of British Steel customer Reidsteel, has suggested that government intervention is the "only solution" to save the plant.
