Angela Eagle MP, Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, responding to SSI’s announcement that production at its Teesside steel plant will be paused, said:

“This is clearly devastating news for all of the workers affected, and I know that Trade Unions and others are doing all they can to assist those impacted by today’s announcement.  

“Earlier this week the Prime Minister guaranteed to do everything he could to keep steel making on Teesside and yesterday, at a crucial debate secured by the local Member of Parliament Anna Turley, the Steel Minister agreed to convene a high-level summit of all of the key players to find a solution to the crisis in the industry; the urgency of the situation at Redcar now demands immediate action from the highest levels of Government to ensure it lives up to the promises made to steel workers, their families, and the wider community, just a few days ago.

“The steel industry is of vital strategic importance to the UK economy, and the announcement today is another example of why urgent action from the Government to address high energy prices, unfair and anti-competitive practices from some international producers, as well as additional export and procurement support is required immediately.”