PRESS DIGEST-British Business - April 21

April 21 (Reuters) - The following are the top stories on the business pages of British newspapers. Reuters has not verified these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

The Times

- British Steel's Scunthorpe plant could swap its blast furnaces for cleaner, more cost-effective electric arc furnaces at a cost of about 2 billion pounds ($2.67 billion), funded by taxpayers or investors.

- Britain will boost domestic explosives production to reduce reliance on U.S. and French ammunition, with BAE Systems BAES.L set to erect shipping container facilities across the UK for RDX explosives used in 155mm rounds and other weapons.

The Guardian

- Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, backed importing labelled chlorinated chicken from the U.S. as part of a trade deal, while a poll indicated his party could win the most seats in a general election.

The Telegraph

- A group of 14 British MPs and peers called on the government to reject new World Health Organization (WHO) international health regulations by July 19, warning on Wednesday that failing to opt out would allow the WHO to recommend lockdowns in future pandemics.

Sky News

- Modella Capital, the new owner of British discount retailer The Original Factory Shop, is set to propose steep rent reductions for store landlords through a company voluntary arrangement (CVA).

- DHL Express, a division of Germany's Deutsche Post DHLn.DE, will pause shipments to the U.S. valued over $800 from all origins starting April 21, citing the impact of President Donald Trump's new tariff policies.

The Independent

- UK Energy Secretary Ed Miliband accused Nigel Farage of spreading "nonsense and lies" by linking the government's net zero policy to the steel industry crisis, warning that abandoning net zero would risk climate collapse and future clean energy jobs.

($1 = 0.7493 pounds)