Angela Eagle MP, Labour’s Shadow First Secretary of State and Shadow Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, responding to today’s announcement from Sheffield Forgemasters of further job losses in the steel sector, said:

“These latest job losses will be devastating news for the workers affected especially given the uncertainty that they’ve endured as the plant restructures to secure its near term future. There is also a loss to the wider economy due the high-quality and specialist nature of the steel produced at the plant which is of strategic importance to our national security. 

"The Government must take faster and more decisive action to assist especially on relief for business rates and high energy costs.”

On the wider crisis facing the steel industry, Angela Eagle said:

“This provides yet more evidence of an industry in crisis. David Cameron’s Government have been warned time and again of the consequences of inaction but these warnings have largely been ignored. 

"The Government’s total failure to develop an active industrial strategy for steel which pushes ahead with vital infrastructure projects is an indictment of Ministerial complacency.

"And Minsters have been far too slow and seem reluctant to tackle the underlying threats which are eroding both our industrial base and our steel industry. 

“Only by taking immediate and decisive action on all of the asks made by the steel industry and trade unions can the Government make sure our steel industry survives. Time is vital and without urgent action I fear that the Tories’ laissez-faire attitude could lead the downturn into a death spiral.“