This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-business-35876112
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 1 | Version 2 |
---|---|
Deal 'close' over sale of Tata Steel mills | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said a deal to secure the future of two Scottish steelworks is close. | |
The Scottish government has been involved in talks with Liberty House over the sale of Tata Steel's mothballed Clydebridge and Dalzell works in Lanarkshire. | |
Ms Sturgeon told MSPs that negotiations were continuing over a deal that would see Liberty buy and operate the mills. | |
She said: "Final due diligence on that agreement is taking place at present. | |
"The agreement would be facilitated by the Scottish government and would involve us buying the plant and immediately selling them on to Liberty for the same consideration." | |
The announcement came ahead of a meeting of the Scottish steel task force, set up by the Scottish government in October to try to secure a future for the mills. | |
Last October, Tata announced plans to close them with the loss of 270 jobs. | |
Roy Rickhuss, general secretary of the steelworkers' union Community, welcomed news that a deal was close. | |
He added: "The signing of this agreement is the first step towards restoring jobs and resuming production but there are still many steps to be taken. | |
"Community will continue to work tirelessly to see that happen. | |
"We made it clear that the skilled workforce at Dalzell and Clydebridge deserved a future in steel and from my discussions with Liberty I know they have the ambition to make that happen." | |