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Steel crisis: Jeremy Corbyn demands recall of parliament - live updates Steel crisis: Jeremy Corbyn demands recall of parliament - live updates
(35 minutes later)
2.54pm BST
14:54
A petition has now been created to encourage David Cameron to recall parliament.
It’s currently got 178 signatures. Sorry, make that
189
,
198,
208....
I've called on @David_cameron to recall Parliament. Join me to #SaveOurSteel https://t.co/idECbvczy4
2.49pm BST
14:49
Lunchtime summary: Government feeling the heat over steel
The UK government is under mounting pressure to help the British steel industry, after Indian conglomerate Tata announced plans to sell its operations across the country.
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has demanded that parliament is recalled from its Easter break. He accused the government of being “in disarray”, and urged David Cameron to convene an urgent meeting on the issue.
Corbyn declared:
Ministers must act now to protect the steel industry, which is at the heart of manufacturing in Britain and vital to its future.”
Corbyn has now cut his own holiday, in Devon, short, to head to South Wales - apparently tweeting on his way:
News that Tata is preparing to pull out of steelmaking puts thousands of jobs across the country & a strategic UK-wide industry at risk
MPs must have the chance now to debate the future of steel and hold ministers to account for their failure to intervene #SaveOurSteel
Wales first minister, Carwyn Jones, has put the wheels in motion to recall the Welsh Assembly next Monday
Government minister Anna Soubry has insisted that the government is committed to British steel, and will consider all options. Speaking on Radio 4, Soubry appeared to suggest that partial nationalisation is an option, if Tata’s UK sites can be sold to another company.
Soubry also pleaded with Tata to give Britain time to find a buyer for Tata’s sites, including at Port Talbot, Rotherham, and Scunthorpe.
She said:
“That is our priority, to look for a buyer. But we are being realistic about the state of the industry.”
Downing Street insiders have told us that financial support is possible, but full nationalisation is not on the table.
Business secretary Sajid Javed has been criticised for flying to Australia for an official trip. Shadow minister John Healey has called on Javed to head home, but the government insists Javed is in full control.
The IPPR think tank has warned that 40,000 jobs are at stake - 15,000 at Tata, and another 25,000 in the supply chain.
Several unions have urged the government to consider partial nationalisation. And the British Chambers of Commerce has also weighed in, saying everything possible should be done.
Stephen Kinnock, the Labour MP for Port Talbot, has revealed that Tata’s top management were frustrated with the UK government. He told The Guardian that Britain had “rolled out the red carpet” to Beijing, rather than clamping down on cheap steel imports.
The steel crisis is also threatening to merge with another political hot potato, the EU referendum. Brexit campaigners are blaming Brussels for imposing too many regulations on the steel industry, and for helping Chinese steel makers to undercut British slab makers.
2.15pm BST2.15pm BST
14:1514:15
Attention, Port Talbot. Jeremy Corbyn is heading your way...Attention, Port Talbot. Jeremy Corbyn is heading your way...
Labour leader @jeremycorbyn going to Port Talbot this afternoon to show support for steel workersLabour leader @jeremycorbyn going to Port Talbot this afternoon to show support for steel workers
2.09pm BST2.09pm BST
14:0914:09
Ben Wright of the Press Association is tweeting the scene at Port Talbot - from the media circus to the homes of worried steel workers:Ben Wright of the Press Association is tweeting the scene at Port Talbot - from the media circus to the homes of worried steel workers:
The media presence outside #tatasteel plant in Port Talbot. pic.twitter.com/1b6WLdDxzOThe media presence outside #tatasteel plant in Port Talbot. pic.twitter.com/1b6WLdDxzO
Sebastien Boyesen’s sculpture, Mortal Coil, commemorating the steel industry in Port Talbot #tatasteel pic.twitter.com/ZhopVrPRh7Sebastien Boyesen’s sculpture, Mortal Coil, commemorating the steel industry in Port Talbot #tatasteel pic.twitter.com/ZhopVrPRh7
Houses in the shadow of Port Talbot's steelworks. #tatasteel pic.twitter.com/RTTfpEv4ZEHouses in the shadow of Port Talbot's steelworks. #tatasteel pic.twitter.com/RTTfpEv4ZE
2.07pm BST2.07pm BST
14:0714:07
My colleague Graham Ruddick has analysed the crisis facing the steel industry, and explained why it can’t all be blamed on Europe:My colleague Graham Ruddick has analysed the crisis facing the steel industry, and explained why it can’t all be blamed on Europe:
Related: Would Brexit help Britain’s steel industry?Related: Would Brexit help Britain’s steel industry?
2.06pm BST2.06pm BST
14:0614:06
Would Brexit really help the steel industry, as campaigners are claiming?Would Brexit really help the steel industry, as campaigners are claiming?
One counter-argument is that UK industry would find it harder to sell products to the continent if Britain left the EU, especially if punitive tariffs were imposed. That weaker demand could feed through to the steel industry.One counter-argument is that UK industry would find it harder to sell products to the continent if Britain left the EU, especially if punitive tariffs were imposed. That weaker demand could feed through to the steel industry.
And although Brexit would allow Britain to slap much higher tariffs on cheap Chinese steel, that might not be a brilliant negotiating strategy if you’re trying to charm Beijing into a new trade deal.....And although Brexit would allow Britain to slap much higher tariffs on cheap Chinese steel, that might not be a brilliant negotiating strategy if you’re trying to charm Beijing into a new trade deal.....
1.55pm BST1.55pm BST
13:5513:55
Here’s another sign that Brexit campaigners believe the steel crisis helps their case:Here’s another sign that Brexit campaigners believe the steel crisis helps their case:
USA imposes a 266% tariff on cheap steel allowing its own industry to thriveThe benefit of being a sovereign nation pic.twitter.com/eMIaflUgeIUSA imposes a 266% tariff on cheap steel allowing its own industry to thriveThe benefit of being a sovereign nation pic.twitter.com/eMIaflUgeI
1.45pm BST1.45pm BST
13:4513:45
Labour MP, and Brexit campaigner, Kate Hoey has blamed Brussels for the plight of the UK steel industry.Labour MP, and Brexit campaigner, Kate Hoey has blamed Brussels for the plight of the UK steel industry.
She writes:She writes:
“The EU’s regulations on energy production are killing our steel industry. It is impossible for the UK to compete with non-EU countries like the US, where electricity costs half the price, and Norway, where energy is 25% of the UK price. They unlike us are free from dogmatic, ineffective rules on energy sources.“The EU’s regulations on energy production are killing our steel industry. It is impossible for the UK to compete with non-EU countries like the US, where electricity costs half the price, and Norway, where energy is 25% of the UK price. They unlike us are free from dogmatic, ineffective rules on energy sources.
She also criticises the EU for allowing China to “dump cheap steel on European countries”.She also criticises the EU for allowing China to “dump cheap steel on European countries”.
(Although as we pointed out earlier, Britain actually blocked attempts to raise tariffs on Chinese steel).(Although as we pointed out earlier, Britain actually blocked attempts to raise tariffs on Chinese steel).
Hoey also singles out the EU ban on state aid:Hoey also singles out the EU ban on state aid:
“The European Union also ties the UK’s hands on state aid, preventing us from temporarily nationalising the industry under their inflexible single market competition rules. This would allow Port Talbot to ride out the storm until steel prices recover and a new buyer is found.“The European Union also ties the UK’s hands on state aid, preventing us from temporarily nationalising the industry under their inflexible single market competition rules. This would allow Port Talbot to ride out the storm until steel prices recover and a new buyer is found.
(Reminder: EU rules ban countries from propping up failing companies, but do allow support to boost competitiveness)(Reminder: EU rules ban countries from propping up failing companies, but do allow support to boost competitiveness)
1.37pm BST1.37pm BST
13:3713:37
Jeremy Corbyn has now tweeted a photo of his letter calling for MPs to be recalled to Westminster.Jeremy Corbyn has now tweeted a photo of his letter calling for MPs to be recalled to Westminster.
No response from @David_Cameron yet....No response from @David_Cameron yet....
My letter to Cameron pressing for the recall of Parliament to debate the threat to the steel industry #SaveOurSteel pic.twitter.com/7xZ7oE4JsqMy letter to Cameron pressing for the recall of Parliament to debate the threat to the steel industry #SaveOurSteel pic.twitter.com/7xZ7oE4Jsq
1.23pm BST1.23pm BST
13:2313:23
My colleague Nazia Parveen is meeting with Tata steel workers in Rotherham.My colleague Nazia Parveen is meeting with Tata steel workers in Rotherham.
They have told her they are desperately worried about their jobs, and urged the government to help. Workers are also unhappy that Chinese steel is being imported and used for local projects, rather than steel milled in the area.They have told her they are desperately worried about their jobs, and urged the government to help. Workers are also unhappy that Chinese steel is being imported and used for local projects, rather than steel milled in the area.
Nazia has also met with people who were laid off by Tata recently:Nazia has also met with people who were laid off by Tata recently:
Rotherham steel workers say they are 'devastated' and have lost their jobs for life.Rotherham steel workers say they are 'devastated' and have lost their jobs for life.
Senior union rep Stuart Samsome made redundant after almost 40 years at Tata steel-he said it was 'heart-breaking' pic.twitter.com/ztp0QSdQCCSenior union rep Stuart Samsome made redundant after almost 40 years at Tata steel-he said it was 'heart-breaking' pic.twitter.com/ztp0QSdQCC
Samsome said over the years the Rotherham Tata steel plant had been run into the groundSamsome said over the years the Rotherham Tata steel plant had been run into the ground
Steel for the Forth Bridge imported from China rather than getting it from 30miles down the rd from Rotherham, claim workers at TataSteel for the Forth Bridge imported from China rather than getting it from 30miles down the rd from Rotherham, claim workers at Tata
1.11pm BST1.11pm BST
13:1113:11
As well as recalling parliament, Jeremy Corbyn is asking David Cameron to convene a meeting of all interested parties to discuss the steel crisis.As well as recalling parliament, Jeremy Corbyn is asking David Cameron to convene a meeting of all interested parties to discuss the steel crisis.
That would include government, unions, and industry groups.That would include government, unions, and industry groups.
The Labour leaders also says that state ownership should be considered:The Labour leaders also says that state ownership should be considered:
“If necessary ministers must be prepared to use their powers to take a public stake in steel-making to protect the industry and British manufacturing. The Government must do whatever it takes to save this strategic industry.”“If necessary ministers must be prepared to use their powers to take a public stake in steel-making to protect the industry and British manufacturing. The Government must do whatever it takes to save this strategic industry.”
1.08pm BST1.08pm BST
13:0813:08
1.00pm BST1.00pm BST
13:0013:00
Labour’s deputy leader, Tom Watson, tweets that the business secretary must ‘get a grip’ of the steel crisis.Labour’s deputy leader, Tom Watson, tweets that the business secretary must ‘get a grip’ of the steel crisis.
The UK requires a secure steel production capacity. That's why @jeremycorbyn has demanded a recall of Parliament. Get a grip @sajidjavid.The UK requires a secure steel production capacity. That's why @jeremycorbyn has demanded a recall of Parliament. Get a grip @sajidjavid.
12.46pm BST12.46pm BST
12:4612:46
Anushka AsthanaAnushka Asthana
Sajid Javid spoke to Tata Steel chair Cyrus Mistry this morning, we hear.Sajid Javid spoke to Tata Steel chair Cyrus Mistry this morning, we hear.
The business secretary is “monitoring the situation closely and getting regular updates” despite being in Australia, according to a government source.The business secretary is “monitoring the situation closely and getting regular updates” despite being in Australia, according to a government source.
12.43pm BST12.43pm BST
12:4312:43
The IPPR think tank has calculated that at least 40,000 jobs are at risk across the steel industry, and in industries that rely on it.The IPPR think tank has calculated that at least 40,000 jobs are at risk across the steel industry, and in industries that rely on it.
That includes 15,000 employed by Tata Steel in the UK, and 25,000 jobs in the supply chain -- at manufacturers and suppliers of iron, coke, petroleum, and machinery used at steel works.That includes 15,000 employed by Tata Steel in the UK, and 25,000 jobs in the supply chain -- at manufacturers and suppliers of iron, coke, petroleum, and machinery used at steel works.