Angela Eagle MP, Labour’s Shadow First Secretary of State and Business Secretary, responding to the deadline for submission of bids for the Tata UK steel business, said:

“Today is a crucial day for UK steel, a vital strategic industry. We sincerely hope a suitable bid can be found which preserves the blast furnaces, the 15,000 high-skill jobs, and our domestic steel-making capacity.

“But the Tory Government must address the underlying challenges to the industry; on energy, business rates, procurement, and most importantly, preventing Chinese dumping. The Government must stop kow-towing to China and start standing up for our steel.”