British Steel has confirmed that its blast furnaces at the Scunthorpe plant will continue operating beyond 2024 despite earlier reports suggesting a closure before Christmas. The furnaces were originally slated for shutdown as part of a transition to more energy-efficient electric arc furnaces, which are less carbon-intensive.

A British Steel spokesperson stated that recent raw material purchases will allow operations to continue into the new year. The UK government, through the Department for Business and Trade, has been in discussions with British Steel's owner, Jingye, to ensure a secure transition to green steel production, with £2.5 billion in investments planned to support the UK steel industry.

The company is in ongoing talks with the government to ensure it remains a key player in the UK's infrastructure sector. Electric arc furnaces offer a more sustainable alternative to traditional blast furnaces, significantly reducing carbon emissions in steel production.