Angela Eagle MP, Labour’s Shadow First Secretary of State and Shadow Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, speaking ahead of the opening of the sale process for Tata Steel’s UK business said:

“Steel is a foundation industry; it is essential for manufacturing, for our defence industries and for the wider economy. It is absolutely imperative that we secure a sustainable future for steel.

"We have been warning of the growing crisis facing the industry. Labour MPs raised the challenges facing steel over 200 times in Parliament since May. But Sajid Javid failed to heed the warnings, and as the industry reached crisis he jetted off on a jolly to Australia.

"The Government has been asleep at the wheel - they need to get their act together fast. For the sake of the 40,000 workers and the steel communities that face an uncertain future the Government must do everything it can to ensure that a suitable buyer is found. The crisis also points to the dire need for an industrial strategy to support steel and our manufacturing sector.”

ENDS