Chinese company demands compensation from UK over British Steel nationalisation
Last Updated:July 19, 2026, 13:00 ISTRepresentational image (Image: News18)Beijing, Jul 19 (AP) The Chinese company that formerly owned British Steel demanded Sunday compensation from the UK government for. . .
Last Updated:July 19, 2026, 13:00 ISTRepresentational image (Image: News18)Beijing, Jul 19 (AP) The Chinese company that formerly owned British Steel demanded Sunday compensation from the UK government for investment losses following the nationalisation of the manufacturer last week. The British government took operational control of the company last year after Jingye Group said that it was considering closing the blast furnaces at its Scunthorpe plant in northern England, the last in the United Kingdom to make “virgin steel" from raw materials. Recommended StoriesJingye Group said in a WeChat statement that the nationalisation move tarnished the credibility of the British government, spooked international investors and caused great losses to the company’s operation and British taxpayers’ funds. It also demanded that the UK government stop “trampling on international investment rules. " The Chinese company announced it had initiated negotiation procedures under relevant bilateral investment agreements, reserving all rights, including to international arbitration. Jingye said it will also represent British taxpayers seeking to hold the UK government and British Steel’s management legally liable. However, it did not specify how it would handle the case. “The UK disregarded Jingye’s continuous investment and significant contribution and was only willing to provide almost zero compensation," it said. An independent evaluation will be carried out to determine whether any compensation will be paid to Jingye Group, the UK government said last week. British Steel and its forebears have been making steel at Scunthorpe for more than 130 years, building on the UK’s development of improved steelmaking technology during the Industrial Revolution. The plant currently employs about 2,700 people. Jingye bought British Steel in 2020 and said it saved the steel company from crisis. The Chinese Foreign Ministry on Saturday said the way the U. K. handles the issue would directly influence how Chinese investors view the British investment environment and the credibility of the British government. “China urges the UK to earnestly respect market principles and the spirit of contract, and find solutions on compensation and other issues acceptable to both sides," it said in a statement. It added China supports enterprises in safeguarding their legitimate rights through legal means. (AP) RD RD(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed -PTI)News18 NewsletterHandpicked stories, in your inboxA newsletter with the best of our journalismKey Questions AnsweredJingye Group has initiated negotiation procedures under relevant bilateral investment agreements and reserved all rights, including to international arbitration, against the UK government following the nationalization of British Steel. First Published:July 19, 2026, 13:00 ISTNewsagency-feedsChinese company demands compensation from UK over British Steel nationalisationDisclaimer: Comments reflect users’ views, not News18’s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to ourTerms of UseandPrivacy Policy. Loading comments. . . Read More