This historically happens in the lead-up to world wars. Large amounts of steel will be required for automotive companies to switch to building tanks and other military vehicles. It is probably also a factor that the company is Chinese owned. Imports will cease before things pop off.

He acknowledged that the emergency law was "pretty unprecedented", but said it meant there would be a future for steel in Britain and that it was in the national interest.

The owner was planning to shut the plant down. Restarting a blast furnace is challenging as the iron solidifies in the bottom of the furnace.