British Steel on track to be fully nationalised within weeks
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#1
British Steel Poised for Full Nationalisation as Government Seeks to Wrest Economic Control from Chinese Owner
英國鋼鐵公司即將全面國有化，政府正尋求從中國業主手中奪回經濟控制權
#2
British Steel is reportedly on the verge of full nationalisation within weeks, marking a decisive escalation of government intervention in the strategically vital industry.
據報導，英國鋼鐵公司將在數週內面臨全面國有化，這標誌著政府對這一具有戰略重要性產業的干預行動果斷升級。
#3
The steelmaker, which employs approximately 3,500 workers at its Scunthorpe plant, has been under state operational control since last April.
這家鋼鐵製造商在其斯肯索普工廠僱用了約 3,500 名工人，自去年四月以來一直處於國家的營運控制之下。
#4
However, economic control has remained with its Chinese owner, Jingye, a situation that ministers now appear determined to resolve definitively.
然而，經濟控制權仍掌握在其中國所有者敬業集團手中，部長們現在似乎決心要徹底解決這一局面。
#5
The government stepped in last year amid mounting concerns that Jingye was contemplating a complete shutdown of the Scunthorpe site.
政府去年在外界日益擔心敬業集團正考慮完全關閉斯肯索普廠區的情況下介入了。
#6
Had the plant closed, Britain would have lost its sole remaining capacity for primary steelmaking.
若該工廠當時關閉，英國將會失去其僅存的初級煉鋼能力。
#7
British Steel operates the country's last two blast furnaces, which enable steel to be produced from raw materials rather than recycled scrap.
英國鋼鐵公司經營著該國最後兩座高爐，這使得鋼鐵能從原材料而非回收廢料中生產出來。
#8
Sources with knowledge of the negotiations emphasised that ministers regard the preservation of this capability as non-negotiable.
知情人士強調，部長們認為保留這項能力是不可談判的。
#9
In a significant move last week, ministers formally designated the steel industry as vital to national security.
在上週的一項重大舉措中，部長們正式將鋼鐵業指定為對國家安全至關重要的產業。
#10
This classification could furnish the legal basis for a compulsory nationalisation, should negotiations with Jingye fail to yield an agreement.
這項分類可能為強制國有化提供法律依據，萬一與敬業集團的談判未能達成協議的話。
#11
It is understood that the government offered one hundred million pounds to Jingye earlier this month, but the proposal was firmly rebuffed.
據了解，政府在本月初向敬業集團出價一億英鎊，但該提議遭到斷然拒絕。
#12
The Chinese company had initially demanded in excess of one billion pounds, a figure that officials reportedly deemed wholly unreasonable.
這家中國公司最初要求超過十億英鎊，官員們據報認為這個數字完全不合理。
#13
Whichever route the government ultimately pursues, sources indicated that ministers intend to secure full economic control of British Steel within the coming weeks.
無論政府最終採取哪種途徑，消息人士指出，部長們打算在未來幾週內取得英國鋼鐵公司的全面經濟控制權。
#14
One option involves setting Jingye a firm deadline to conclude a deal, failing which the state would proceed unilaterally.
其中一個選項包括為敬業集團設定一個達成協議的最後期限，若未能在期限內達成，政府將單方面採取行動。
#15
The question of foreign ownership in critical industries has become increasingly contentious, with this case serving as a litmus test for the government's broader industrial policy.
關鍵產業的外資所有權問題已變得日益具有爭議，此案例正作為政府更廣泛工業政策的試金石。
#16
The financial implications of sustained state involvement are substantial.
持續的國家干預所帶來的財務影響是巨大的。
#17
By the end of January this year, the cumulative cost of keeping British Steel operational had ballooned to three hundred and seventy-seven million pounds.
截至今年一月底，維持英國鋼鐵公司運作的累計成本已激增至三億七千七百萬英鎊。
#18
Projections suggest that expenditure could surpass one point five billion pounds by 2028 if current arrangements persist.
預測顯示，如果目前的安排持續下去，到 2028 年支出可能會超過 15 億英鎊。
#19
Nevertheless, proponents of nationalisation have argued that the strategic imperative of maintaining domestic steelmaking capacity far outweighs the fiscal burden.
儘管如此，國有化的支持者認為，維持國內煉鋼能力的戰略必要性遠遠超過了財政負擔。
#20
The outcome of this dispute is likely to shape the trajectory of British industrial policy for years to come.
這場爭端的結果很可能會塑造未來幾年英國工業政策的走向。