Angela Eagle MP, Shadow First Secretary of State and Shadow Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, commenting on the failure of most Tory MEPs to support the European Parliament’s motion against the granting of Market Economy Status to China, said;

“UK steel, a vital foundation industry, is hanging by a thread. The main cause of the crisis is the illegal dumping of Chinese steel, but the Government has repeatedly failed to act.

“Granting Market Economy Status to China would not just be undeserved and absurd; it would frustrate action against dumping. It is a great shame that most Tory MEPs failed to support this crucial vote.

“Labour has long been calling for robust action to tackle dumping and save our steel. This motion is a welcome step forward and we hope the Tory Government will see this as a wake-up call. They need to stop kow-towing to China and start standing up for our steel industry.”