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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Business
Alex Daniel

Steel bosses warn ‘back door’ loophole in UK trade rules could lead to job cuts and closures

An aerial view of the British Steel Scunthorpe site in England
Ministers hope the levies will save British Steel, pictured here in Scunthorpe, and other producers from collapse. Photograph: Ryan Jenkinson/Getty Images

Steel bosses have warned ministers that a “back door” in new trade rules could hit British manufacturers and lead to job cuts and factory closures by allowing a vast array of foreign products to still enter the UK tax-free.

The loophole means pre-made steel parts ranging from bridge sections, columns and door frames, all the way to smaller rods and tubes used in buildings, will escape recently announced import tariffs, the Guardian understands.

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