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Nicola Sturgeon visits threatened Tata steel plants Nicola Sturgeon pledges action over threatened steel plants
(about 3 hours later)
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is visiting two Tata steel plants in Scotland which have been earmarked for closure, with the loss of 270 jobs. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has pledged to do "everything possible" to help find a buyer and keep production going at two threatened steel plants.
Ms Sturgeon is meeting workers, unions and management at the Dalzell plate rolling works in Motherwell and the Clydebridge plant in Cambuslang. Her comments came after she held talks with the workforce and management at Tata Steel's plants in Motherwell and Cambuslang.
Tata this week confirmed plans to mothball both facilities. Tata this week confirmed plans to mothball both facilities, putting 270 jobs at risk.
The Scottish government has said it will "leave no stone unturned" in its efforts to keep the plants open. A steel task force has been set up to look at options for the sites.
Ms Sturgeon has set up a Scottish steel task force, which will "seek a viable alternative to the potential mothballing of Tata Steel operations in Scotland".
It will also look to support the 270 staff affected by the move.
The task force, which is due to hold its first meeting next week, will be chaired by Scottish business minister Fergus Ewing and include representatives from Tata Steel, trade unions, local councils, Scottish government agencies and local politicians.
Tata has blamed the planned closures on a flood of cheap imports from China, a strong pound and high electricity costs.Tata has blamed the planned closures on a flood of cheap imports from China, a strong pound and high electricity costs.
It said it had looked at "all other options" before taking the decision.It said it had looked at "all other options" before taking the decision.
Tata Steel human resources director Tor Farquhar later said he was "pessimistic" about the Scottish plants re-opening. 'Extremely distressing'
The trade union Community, which represents many of the steel workers affected, welcomed the setting up of a task force. Speaking after her visit to the Dalzell plate rolling works in Motherwell and the Clydebridge plant in Cambuslang, Ms Sturgeon said Tata had agreed to support the Scottish government's efforts to try to find a buyer.
However, it added that it needed 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". She also confirmed that modern apprentices employed on site would have their off-the-job training guaranteed, should there be a gap in their employment.
Meanwhile, Scottish Labour called on the government to make a statement to the Scottish parliament next week on the steel industry. Ms Sturgeon said: "The announcement that the steel plants at Dalzell and Clydebridge are to be mothballed has been extremely distressing for the workforce and it was important for me to visit the sites today to hear first-hand their perspective on this difficult situation.
Labour MSP James Kelly said Scottish ministers must report on the outcome of the task force's first meeting and set out the specific actions that will be taken to protect jobs and secure a future for the steel industry. "The quality of the work done at these sites is outstanding and it is clear that all of the workers have a great deal of pride in what they do.
Mr Kelly, who is a member of the task force, added: "The steel industry is an iconic part of the culture, community and economy of Lanarkshire. Generations of families have worked at the plants in Clydebridge and Dalzell. "During my visit, I was struck by the determination of everyone on site to keep these plants open and I was able to reassure them that the Scottish government will leave no stone unturned in our efforts to help them do that.
"We must move heaven and earth to save jobs and secure a future for the steel industry in Scotland." "The task force I announced earlier this week is an important starting point in those efforts.
The decision to close the two Tata plants in Scotland in effect ends production at the country's last two major steelworks. "It will bring together a range of people, including unions, local authorities, politicians and other agencies to focus on identifying new owners, maintaining the operation and retaining the highly skilled jobs in Dalzell and Clydebridge.
The Dalzell Steel and Iron Works opened in 1872, and Clydebridge in 1887. "The taskforce will also consider wider support for the workforce at this difficult time, including what can be done to ensure that the modern apprentices employed on site do not have their education affected."
The plants became two of the giants of Scottish industry, with Clydebridge providing steel plates for many of the most famous ships built on the River Clyde. She added: "I firmly believe that there is a future for steel manufacturing in Scotland and nothing I have seen today has diminished that opinion.
"Together with the workforce, unions and others, the Scottish government will continue to take every action to secure the future of this industry."
Ms Sturgeon also confirmed that Scottish Business Minister Fergus Ewing, who is to chair the new steel task force, would make a statement on the steel industry to the Scottish Parliament "at the earliest opportunity following recess".
The move follows a call by Labour MSP James Kelly for Scottish ministers to set out the specific actions that will be taken to protect jobs and secure a future for the steel industry.