Tata Steel Cuts 900 Jobs In Scunthorpe
1200 jobs will be cut between sites in Scunthorpe and Scotland.
Tata Steel has confirmed it's axing 1,200 jobs, and closing two of its plants in Lanarkshire.
Most of the positions will go in Scunthorpe - the firm says the entire UK steel industry is "struggling for survival".
It's one of several steelmakers which have been shedding jobs recently.
Unions, steel workers and MPs are united in their shock over the news that 900 jobs will go at Tata Steel in Scunthorpe.
Paul McBean from the Community union blames high costs in the UK and cheap imports from China.
He told Viking FM:
“This is devastating news for everyone and their families. It’s another blow to Scunthorpe steel making. The workforce has done everything we can in recent years to make a success of the business and give us the chance of a future. But we can’t do it alone. We need the government to step up and take action. The Prime Minister needs to show that he wants a steel industry in the UK. We need a sign that we’ve got a future. All we want is a level playing to field to compete on.”
You can watch a full interview with Paul, below:
The Chief Executive of the Long Products Division for Europe, Bim-lendra Jha, echoed that feeling outside the plant this afternoon and said: "It is indeed a very sad day. When you look at those sad faces, you know that you are up for a fight."
You can watch an interview with him below:
The firm made the announcement this morning after widespread speculation about job losses.
It's more than was expected, with rumours that only 800 would go from the plant out of 1200 between the Scunthorpe and Scotland sites.
This steel worker told Viking about the moment he found out his job might be not be safe.
Labour MP for Scunthorpe, Nic Dakin, says he hopes David Cameron's talks with China's President will focus on the UK steel crisis.
The Business Secretary, Sajid Javid, also responded to today's news that Tata Steel are axing 1200 jobs. He said:
"This government is doing, and will continue to do, everything within our power. David Cameron's promised to raise the issue with China's President."
We also spoke to the union, Unite. Martin Foster is the trade union convenor for Scunthorpe:
Reverend Peter Vickers is chaplain for North Lincolnshire and is supporting workers at the plant following today's announcement of 900 job losses.
Hear what he had to say below: