Business Minister visits Rotherham to discuss steel crisis

It comes after the Indian company said it wants to sell all of its UK operations, putting thousands of jobs on the line.

Published 4th Apr 2016

Business minister Anna Soubry has visited Rotherham to discuss the steel crisis.

She met MPs, council leaders and union officials on a visit to the Tata Steel plant in the town.

It comes after the Indian company said it wants to sell all of its UK operations, putting thousands of jobs on the line.

Stocksbridge MP Angela Smith told Hallam she now wants to see clear action from the government to follow it up: "It was productive in the sense that I think the minister made all the right noises.

"She clearly does understand the issues around business rates and energy prices. She understands that government has got to play its part in securing the future.

"But what we've got to see now is action and I think that goes back to Number 10. I think Cameron himself has to play a part in delivering those positive outcomes that we're all looking for.

"One in three aircraft has steel in its landing gear that's made here in Stocksbridge. If anybody's telling me that there's no future for Stocksbridge steel then I'm sorry, I just don't take that. I don't believe it."

Crisis talks have also been taking place in London between government and union representatives.

"People have reliased that there is a major crisis in front of us," says National officer for GMB Trade Union, Dave Hulse.

"We want Tata Steel to commit to be a responsible seller, but we need them to give us time. The industry deserves it. We can't sell a business of this magnitude in weeks, it's got to be months."

The unions have set out their demands of Government, including helping to secure the customer base and guaranteeing production of Tata's UK steel operations so that customers are not lost.

The Government was also urged to work to ensure the integrity of the business is guaranteed, because allowing Tata or other investors to 'cherry-pick' assets will put steelmaking at risk.

Union leaders are hoping to present their plan to the Government on Tuesday.