The UK government confirmed duties on imported steel will double to 50 percent from July 1, cutting tariff‑free quotas. Trade minister Sir Chris Bryant said steel output has fallen by more than half in a decade, threatening a sector vital to infrastructure and defence. It mirrors US, EU and Canada tariffs. The decision follows an OECD forecast that global excess capacity will top 720 million tonnes by 2027.

Housebuilders warn the duty will send “shockwaves” through construction, adding roughly £4,000 to the average cost of a new home. Structural‑steel prices have risen from about £700 a tonne earlier this year to £1,000 today, a jump that squeezes margins for developers and smaller contractors alike. BAM UK’s COO John Wilkinson called the reduced quota “punitive” despite the softened cut.

Industry bodies argue the tariff regime excludes fabricated steel, leaving the construction sector on a “precipice”. UK Steel’s Peter Brennan warned that key supply‑chain segments remain exposed to subsidised Chinese imports. The government pledged a twelve‑month impact review, though some firms pushed for an earlier assessment. The policy will raise building costs and strain smaller firms now.