Business secretary backs shift to electric arc furnaces at British Steel plant

Move would secure future of steel production at Scunthorpe but raise questions over future of blast furnaces

The business secretary, Peter Kyle, has backed a shift to cleaner electric arc technology at the state-controlled British Steel plant, raising questions about the future of the UK's last remaining blast furnaces.

Kyle said the government was keen to see that transition happen", as he works on a new steel strategy, which is expected to be published in December.