Recused Minister was due to attend meeting on British Steel, documents show

LEVELLING Up Minister Jacob Young was listed as an attendee for a planned meeting about British Steel, despite having recused himself from matters relating to the company last year.

Amongst documents released from a freedom of information request by Private Eye and seen by The Yorkshire Post was an email from Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen to

Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch’s office in January this year, requesting a meeting about British Steel.

“Ben Houchen would like to arrange a meeting… to discuss British Steel. Also joining the mayor will be Sir Simon Clarke MP and Jacob Young MP,” the email stated.

In November last year the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) told The Yorkshire Post Jacob Young had recused himself from any work on British Steel following the announcement the company planned to build an electric arc furnace (EAF) at Lackenby, in Mr Young’s constituency.

The Chinese-owned firm’s plans to build an EAF are contingent on what it says is “appropriate support from the UK Government”. Negotiations

are ongoing between the company and Government around a potential subsidy of up to £500m.

Ms Badenoch’s office responded to Lord Houchen’s email saying she was unable to arrange any such meeting due to “diary constraints”.

Jacob Young told The Yorkshire Post: “The Tees Valley Mayor requested a meeting with the Secretary

of State and invited me to that meeting as the MP for Redcar.

“I have recused myself, as a Minister from DLUHC, from making any decisions about the matter as this allows me to act in my capacity as constituency MP. This is entirely correct and proper. Recusing myself as a Minister doesn’t mean I have to be left in the dark about matters concerning my constituency.”