Angela Eagle MP, Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, responding to the news that Caparo Industries is likely to go into Administration, said:

“This is a further blow to the steel industry which is now on its knees, and my thoughts are with the 1,700 employees of Caparo who are facing uncertainty over their future 

“The industry needs urgent action from the Government, however this Government seems content to let the industry fail.

“Rather than setting up more talking shops the Government should be taking action to tackle higher energy prices, they should be providing export and procurement support and be looking at what temporary measures could help the industry, including looking again at business rates 

“With the Chinese President in the UK this week, I hope the Government will raise the issue of anti-competitive dumping which is driving down steel prices.”