The Construction Products Association has been supporting our colleagues at Make UK (the nation’s leading manufacturers association) as it heads a supply chain group – alongside the government’s British Steel Support Group made up of local MPs, business organisations, trade unions and local business leaders – to map the supply chain and provide direction to relevant advice in response to the financial difficulties of British Steel Limited (BSL).
Make UK is aware that a small number of CPA members are exposed to the risk presently surrounding BSL. As a supplier to, or customer of, BSL we appreciate this must be a worrying time for those members and their businesses. As such, Make UK is working to keep the CPA abreast of the situation, and asked us to disseminate the information below.
We will continue to provide these updates as the situation develops. If CPA members have questions, please feel free to contact jeff.may@constructionproducts.org.uk.
BRITISH STEEL LIMITED – ADVICE FOR CUSTOMERS
British Steel Limited (BSL) was placed into compulsory liquidation on 22 May 2019. The High Court appointed the Official Receiver as liquidator of the Company and S J Woodward, R H Kelly and A M Hudson as special managers to support him. The Company’s subsidiaries are not in insolvency and are continuing to trade as normal.
Although BSL is in liquidation, it is continuing to trade and fulfil its current and future order book. At the same time, work continues to identify a buyer for the whole business. The company retains the support of its workforce, suppliers and customers.
The Official Receiver and the Government are taking every step possible to secure a successful future for this company and its suppliers, customers and dedicated staff.
The UK steel sector is in good shape. Demand for steel is steady and UK steelwork contractors have the capacity and capability to deliver future orders.
The UK has an efficient and mature stockholder and distribution sector and steel stock in the UK remain healthy as stockholders have already been preparing for a no deal Brexit.
The steel sector and its supply chain will continue to offer the construction sector the high level of services customers expect.
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BRITISH STEEL LIMITED – ADVICE FOR SUPPLIERS
British Steel Limited (BSL) was placed into compulsory liquidation on 22 May 2019. The High Court appointed the Official Receiver as liquidator of the Company and S J Woodward, R H Kelly and A M Hudson as special managers to support him. The Company’s subsidiaries are not in insolvency and are continuing to trade as normal.
Although BSL is in liquidation, the Government has provided an indemnity to the Official Receiver so that British Steel can continue to trade and fulfill its current and future order book. At the same time, work continues to identify a buyer for the whole business. The company retains the support of its workforce, suppliers and customers.
The Official Receiver and the Government are taking every step possible to secure a successful future for this company and its suppliers, customers and dedicated staff.
As a supplier to, or customer of, BSL we appreciate this must be a worrying time for you and your business. To respond to this, Make UK (the nation’s leading manufacturers association) is leading a supply chain group – alongside the Government’s British Steel Support Group made up of local MPs, business organisations, trade unions and local business leaders – to map the supply chain and provide direction to relevant advice.
If your company is facing challenges as a result of BSL’s liquidation process, ahead of what we very much hope to be a new chapter for the business, the following areas of support may prove useful:
- If you had outstanding debts due from BSL on 22 May 2019 then the special manager will have contacted, or will be in the process of contacting, you. Find further information on the Government website.
- The National Business Support Helpline provides advice on a range of business-related issues. Tel: 0300 456 3565, email: enquiries@businesssupporthelpline.org and website.
- Statement from UK Finance (presentative body for the high street banks): “UK finance providers are on hand to offer support and guidance for customers directly or indirectly impacted by British Steel, with the finance industry in close contact with businesses that are potentially affected. Customers with concerns should contact their finance providers as soon as possible.”
- HMRC’s Business Payment Support Service provides tax support to businesses.
- The Humber Business Growth Hub can signpost you to a range of business support information and organisations who provide a wide variety of services, including funding, training courses, events, support, advice, mentoring and business services who can help your business.
- Business Lincolnshire is set up to help support Greater Lincolnshire-based businesses to start and grow. Business Lincolnshire hosts a Growth Hub – a single place to go to for business experts and mentors, support and guidance, grants and finance.
- Tees Business Compass helps ambitious businesses realise their growth potential by offering access to a range of practical services, from local business information, assessing growth options through to unlocking finance and funding streams.
- Further growth hubs.