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Tata Steel to cut 270 jobs in Scotland 270 jobs go as Tata Steel closes two plants in Scotland
(35 minutes later)
Steel firm Tata has confirmed that it is to close its two plants in Scotland with the loss of 270 jobs.Steel firm Tata has confirmed that it is to close its two plants in Scotland with the loss of 270 jobs.
The Dalzell plate rolling works in Motherwell and the Clydebridge plant in Cambuslang will be mothballed as the firm cuts almost 1,200 UK jobs. The company said 225 jobs would go at the Dalzell plate rolling works in Motherwell and 45 posts at the Clydebridge plant in Cambuslang.
The remaining 900 posts will go at Tata's facility in Scunthorpe Both facilities will be mothballed and a further 900 posts will go at Tata's facility in Scunthorpe.
Tata said it had been forced to cut jobs due to a flood of cheap imports from China, a strong pound and high electricity costs. The firm blamed the cuts on a flood of cheap imports from China, a strong pound and high electricity costs.
'Employee hardship'
Karl Koehler, chief executive of Tata's European operations, said: "I realise how distressing this news will be for all those affected. We have looked at all other options before proposing these changes.
"We will work closely with affected employees and their trade union representatives.
"We will look to redeploy employees, wherever possible, and minimise employee hardship."
Mr Koehler said the UK steel industry was "struggling for survival in the face of extremely challenging market conditions".
"This industry has a crucial role to play in rebalancing the UK economy, but we need a fairer system to encourage growth," he said.
"The European Commission needs to do much more to deal with unfairly traded imports - inaction threatens the future of the entire European steel industry."
The decision to mothball the two Tata plants in Scotland effectively ends production at the country's last two major steelworks.
The Dalzell Steel and Iron Works opened in 1872, and Clydebridge in 1887.
The plants became two of the giants of Scottish industry, with Clydebridge providing steel plates which were formed into many of the most famous ships built on the River Clyde.
'Fight for a future'
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the Scottish government would establish a Scottish Steel Task Force "to fight for a future for our steel industry".
"This is a very anxious time for Tata Steel employees and their families and is deeply concerning for everyone involved," she said.
"My government is determined to fight for a future for our steel industry.
"That is why I have established a Scottish Steel Task Force - to be chaired by my Business Minister Fergus Ewing - that will bring together all the key representatives to work to keep the Dalzell and Clydebridge plants open."
The first minister added: "We will leave no stone unturned in our efforts to keep the plants open and support the 270 staff affected by today's announcement."
Workers at the Dalzell plant told the BBC that the decision to close the site would impact the whole community.
One worker who had been with the company for more than 34 years described the closures as "pretty devastating".
He said: "It's a big blow to the community. There are a lot of sub-contractors and firms around here that rely on us buying from them; it's going to kill them as well.
"Long term it'll be a terrible thing."
Another employee said: "It's bad times for the steel industry, but we'll live in hope and see what happens."
'Everybody's devastated'
Ross Clark, Community's lead rep the Dalzell plant, said: "Everybody's devastated and worried by today's news. We've faced a lot of challenges in this business and we've overcome them but now our future is uncertain.
"We welcome the fact the Scottish government is going to set up a taskforce and Community will play a full role in that.
"The taskforce must deliver on the promises the Scottish government has made in recent days to save our steel. It needs to come up with real, practical solutions that protect the workforce, the skills and the assets until we can find an alternative and sustainable future."