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| Steel crisis: Jeremy Corbyn calls on government to 'intervene now' | Steel crisis: Jeremy Corbyn calls on government to 'intervene now' |
| (5 months later) | |
| 8.14pm BST | 8.14pm BST |
| 20:14 | 20:14 |
| We’re going to wrap up our live blog coverage (for now) of the steel crisis. At this point, the Port Talbot steelworks still faces a race against time to secure its survival and save thousands of jobs, with Tata Steel looking to resolve the future of its UK business within weeks as it emerged that billions of pounds are needed to make it viable. | We’re going to wrap up our live blog coverage (for now) of the steel crisis. At this point, the Port Talbot steelworks still faces a race against time to secure its survival and save thousands of jobs, with Tata Steel looking to resolve the future of its UK business within weeks as it emerged that billions of pounds are needed to make it viable. |
| About 15,000 jobs are at risk in Tata Steel’s UK business and a further 25,000 in the supply chain after the Indian company revealed plans to pull out of the country. | About 15,000 jobs are at risk in Tata Steel’s UK business and a further 25,000 in the supply chain after the Indian company revealed plans to pull out of the country. |
| Sajid Javid, the business secretary, is on his way home from Australia to tackle the crisis, and David Cameron is also returning from a holiday in Lanzarote. | Sajid Javid, the business secretary, is on his way home from Australia to tackle the crisis, and David Cameron is also returning from a holiday in Lanzarote. |
| 7.56pm BST | 7.56pm BST |
| 19:56 | 19:56 |
| It would be foolish to pretend that there would be no problem facing steelmaking in Britain that determined state intervention could not solve, according to a Guardian editorial. | It would be foolish to pretend that there would be no problem facing steelmaking in Britain that determined state intervention could not solve, according to a Guardian editorial. |
| It adds, however, that government should not be let off the hook: | It adds, however, that government should not be let off the hook: |
| There are things it could and should do to defend UK steel – and things earlier governments should have done too. David Cameron may have told the industry minister Anna Soubry to do everything she could to keep steel alive. | There are things it could and should do to defend UK steel – and things earlier governments should have done too. David Cameron may have told the industry minister Anna Soubry to do everything she could to keep steel alive. |
| But the industry secretary, Sajid Javid, who rightly cut short a visit to Australia, is a laissez-faire Tory who has not shown much interest. After the US imposed anti-dumping tariffs on Chinese steel, the EU could have followed suit, but the UK appears not to have voted for them. | But the industry secretary, Sajid Javid, who rightly cut short a visit to Australia, is a laissez-faire Tory who has not shown much interest. After the US imposed anti-dumping tariffs on Chinese steel, the EU could have followed suit, but the UK appears not to have voted for them. |
| It concludes | It concludes |
| If we think the steel industry is important enough – which it is – and if industrial strategy is more than a slogan – and it ought to be – government must intervene to calm the uncertainties in the public interest. This is not a time for dogma. It is a time for a practical rescue plan and an overdue long-term commitment. | If we think the steel industry is important enough – which it is – and if industrial strategy is more than a slogan – and it ought to be – government must intervene to calm the uncertainties in the public interest. This is not a time for dogma. It is a time for a practical rescue plan and an overdue long-term commitment. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 10.45pm BST | at 10.45pm BST |
| 7.52pm BST | 7.52pm BST |
| 19:52 | 19:52 |
| As the business secretary flies back from Australia, here’s Kipper Williams on the Port Talbot steel crisis: | As the business secretary flies back from Australia, here’s Kipper Williams on the Port Talbot steel crisis: |
| 7.47pm BST | 7.47pm BST |
| 19:47 | 19:47 |
| Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn’s petition calling for David Cameron to recall parliament over the Tata steel crisis has taken a fairly big jump in the past few hours. It’s now close to 50,000. | Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn’s petition calling for David Cameron to recall parliament over the Tata steel crisis has taken a fairly big jump in the past few hours. It’s now close to 50,000. |
| Hitting 100,000 presents the vista of MPs potentially having to come back from their holidays. | Hitting 100,000 presents the vista of MPs potentially having to come back from their holidays. |
| Corbyn's #tatasteel petition nearly halfway to MPs having to debate (?) returning from hols https://t.co/0oR4GGcwhG pic.twitter.com/AEAoc2x9co | Corbyn's #tatasteel petition nearly halfway to MPs having to debate (?) returning from hols https://t.co/0oR4GGcwhG pic.twitter.com/AEAoc2x9co |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 10.45pm BST | at 10.45pm BST |
| 7.35pm BST | 7.35pm BST |
| 19:35 | 19:35 |
| It looks like a calm evening in Port Talbot, where evening shift workers have been clocking on (picture via Alex Thomson of Channel 4 News) | It looks like a calm evening in Port Talbot, where evening shift workers have been clocking on (picture via Alex Thomson of Channel 4 News) |
| Evening shift clocking on at Port Talbot this evening pic.twitter.com/XklLb7VsqS | Evening shift clocking on at Port Talbot this evening pic.twitter.com/XklLb7VsqS |
| 7.32pm BST | 7.32pm BST |
| 19:32 | 19:32 |
| Remember Corbynomics? Richard Murphy, the man behind that radical policy platform insists that the money to save steel in the UK could come from ‘People’s Quantitative Easing’ - the policy of using money created by the Bank of England to invest in public infrastructure projects, at the same time as boosting employment and economic growth. | Remember Corbynomics? Richard Murphy, the man behind that radical policy platform insists that the money to save steel in the UK could come from ‘People’s Quantitative Easing’ - the policy of using money created by the Bank of England to invest in public infrastructure projects, at the same time as boosting employment and economic growth. |
| The money to save #steel could come from People's Quantitative Easing. Opposition parties have to say so | The money to save #steel could come from People's Quantitative Easing. Opposition parties have to say so |
| Murphy hasn’t quite been as prominent in recent times in the formation of economic strategy on the part of the Labour leadership. | Murphy hasn’t quite been as prominent in recent times in the formation of economic strategy on the part of the Labour leadership. |
| 7.22pm BST | 7.22pm BST |
| 19:22 | 19:22 |
| More now from Jeremy Corbyn in Port Talbot, where it was put to him by Jon Snow of Channel 4 News that the crisis is essentially a “great collision between a polluting industry and [the Labuor leader’s] commitment to saving the environment.” Isn’t the problem a question of ‘green taxes’ which make steel production more expenseive? | More now from Jeremy Corbyn in Port Talbot, where it was put to him by Jon Snow of Channel 4 News that the crisis is essentially a “great collision between a polluting industry and [the Labuor leader’s] commitment to saving the environment.” Isn’t the problem a question of ‘green taxes’ which make steel production more expenseive? |
| Corbyn said he did not necessarily agree that such a collision was taking place, adding: “This is an efficient industry. This is an industry that recycles a lot of the products it produces.” | Corbyn said he did not necessarily agree that such a collision was taking place, adding: “This is an efficient industry. This is an industry that recycles a lot of the products it produces.” |
| The Labour leader reiterated his view that it may be time to look at the “lack of regulation” and suggested that steel imported from countries that do not have similar environmental standards (ie China) should be prevented from coming in. | The Labour leader reiterated his view that it may be time to look at the “lack of regulation” and suggested that steel imported from countries that do not have similar environmental standards (ie China) should be prevented from coming in. |
| He added: | He added: |
| You can turn this into a collective good by saying that any imported steel should have the same conditions which the steel are subject to in this country. | You can turn this into a collective good by saying that any imported steel should have the same conditions which the steel are subject to in this country. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 7.29pm BST | at 7.29pm BST |
| 7.08pm BST | 7.08pm BST |
| 19:08 | 19:08 |
| Vince Cable, the former holder of Sajid Javid’s post of secretary of state for business, innovation and skill, has been offering his views on the crisis, saying: “Let’s not be dogmatic about it”. | Vince Cable, the former holder of Sajid Javid’s post of secretary of state for business, innovation and skill, has been offering his views on the crisis, saying: “Let’s not be dogmatic about it”. |
| What followed from the former Liberal Democrat MP was a straight forward appeal for the government to intervene. He told Sky News: “It might be that a term period of public ownership is necessary as part of the transition”. | What followed from the former Liberal Democrat MP was a straight forward appeal for the government to intervene. He told Sky News: “It might be that a term period of public ownership is necessary as part of the transition”. |
| Cable cited the example of the measures taken by the Scottish government last week to facilitate the acquisition of two former Tata mills by the commodities investor Liberty House. | Cable cited the example of the measures taken by the Scottish government last week to facilitate the acquisition of two former Tata mills by the commodities investor Liberty House. |
| “It may be that someone of that nature may be required in Wales,” said Cable. | “It may be that someone of that nature may be required in Wales,” said Cable. |
| He was asked if such an arrangement would be hugely expensive. The reply: | He was asked if such an arrangement would be hugely expensive. The reply: |
| Whatever happens I’m afraid the tax payer is going to be in line for big losses. If many thousands of people lose their jobs there is goin to be an enormous cost in the communities.. workers will beed training... the whole transitional process is going to be very costly. | Whatever happens I’m afraid the tax payer is going to be in line for big losses. If many thousands of people lose their jobs there is goin to be an enormous cost in the communities.. workers will beed training... the whole transitional process is going to be very costly. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 7.21pm BST | at 7.21pm BST |
| 6.56pm BST | 6.56pm BST |
| 18:56 | 18:56 |
| The crisis continues provide a new theatre of battle in EU referendum hostilities, particularly for ‘vote leave’ campaigners. Here’s a tweet from Tory MP William Wragg | The crisis continues provide a new theatre of battle in EU referendum hostilities, particularly for ‘vote leave’ campaigners. Here’s a tweet from Tory MP William Wragg |
| Limitations by EU state aid rules must be overcome to keep British steel production. If they get in the way, another reason to #VoteLeave | Limitations by EU state aid rules must be overcome to keep British steel production. If they get in the way, another reason to #VoteLeave |
| The Leave.EU campaign have meanwhile put this together: | The Leave.EU campaign have meanwhile put this together: |
| Even supporters of the remain campaign blame the EU for the steel crisis. #SaveOurSteel #LeaveEU pic.twitter.com/0LWU65B0F2 | Even supporters of the remain campaign blame the EU for the steel crisis. #SaveOurSteel #LeaveEU pic.twitter.com/0LWU65B0F2 |
| 6.47pm BST | 6.47pm BST |
| 18:47 | 18:47 |
| The West Cumbrian Labour MP, Jamie Reed, has published a letter he has written to David Cameron in which he tells the prime minister that the government has a “responsibility to intervene” on behalf of communities affected by market failures: | The West Cumbrian Labour MP, Jamie Reed, has published a letter he has written to David Cameron in which he tells the prime minister that the government has a “responsibility to intervene” on behalf of communities affected by market failures: |
| Communities cannot be left to suffer the decline of market failure as a result of Government’s reluctance to intervene. The cumulative and knock-on impact of a closure of a facility such as Chapelbank on the local economy would be felt for years to come and the Government has a duty to ensure this does not happen. | Communities cannot be left to suffer the decline of market failure as a result of Government’s reluctance to intervene. The cumulative and knock-on impact of a closure of a facility such as Chapelbank on the local economy would be felt for years to come and the Government has a duty to ensure this does not happen. |
| Reflecting on his own area, Reed said that Tata’s Chapelbank site in Workington, West Cumbria has been a critical part of the Energy Coast economy for decades despite facing repeated challenges: | Reflecting on his own area, Reed said that Tata’s Chapelbank site in Workington, West Cumbria has been a critical part of the Energy Coast economy for decades despite facing repeated challenges: |
| The facility plays a key role in the nuclear sector in the region and, through work with supply chain businesses in the area and major nuclear partners, helps to maintain and expand the skills base necessary to cement West Cumbria’s place as world leaders in nuclear engineering. | The facility plays a key role in the nuclear sector in the region and, through work with supply chain businesses in the area and major nuclear partners, helps to maintain and expand the skills base necessary to cement West Cumbria’s place as world leaders in nuclear engineering. |
| Meanwhile, this is Ben Quinn picking up the liveblog from Graeme Wearden. | Meanwhile, this is Ben Quinn picking up the liveblog from Graeme Wearden. |
| 6.16pm BST | 6.16pm BST |
| 18:16 | 18:16 |
| Early evening summary: Steel in crisis | Early evening summary: Steel in crisis |
| A quick recap of the last few hours. | A quick recap of the last few hours. |
| David Cameron has called a crisis meeting for Thursday morning, to discuss the future of the steel industry. The prime minister is cutting short his holiday to address the deepening crisis caused by Tata’s decision to sell its UK operations. | David Cameron has called a crisis meeting for Thursday morning, to discuss the future of the steel industry. The prime minister is cutting short his holiday to address the deepening crisis caused by Tata’s decision to sell its UK operations. |
| Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn is visiting the Port Talbot steelworks tonight. He urged the government to intervene, and commit to using British steel for domestic infrastructure projects. | Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn is visiting the Port Talbot steelworks tonight. He urged the government to intervene, and commit to using British steel for domestic infrastructure projects. |
| Industry insiders have warned that Tata’s operations in the UK need billions of pounds of investment. There is also little time left to reach a deal, they warn. | Industry insiders have warned that Tata’s operations in the UK need billions of pounds of investment. There is also little time left to reach a deal, they warn. |
| More than 20,000 people have now signed Corbyn’s petition, calling for parliament to be recalled. Downing Street is resisting pressure to summon MPs back from their Easter break, though. | More than 20,000 people have now signed Corbyn’s petition, calling for parliament to be recalled. Downing Street is resisting pressure to summon MPs back from their Easter break, though. |
| Business secretary Sajid Javid is flying home to the UK. He was forced to cancel his trip to Australia, shortly after addressing a black-tie dinner. | Business secretary Sajid Javid is flying home to the UK. He was forced to cancel his trip to Australia, shortly after addressing a black-tie dinner. |
| Javid has suggested that nationalising the steel industry probably isn’t the solution to the crisis. That will disappoint unions, and some Tory MPs, who believe the goverment must step in to save at least 40,000 jobs. | Javid has suggested that nationalising the steel industry probably isn’t the solution to the crisis. That will disappoint unions, and some Tory MPs, who believe the goverment must step in to save at least 40,000 jobs. |
| 6.13pm BST | 6.13pm BST |
| 18:13 | 18:13 |
| Dave Hulse, from the GMB union, isn’t impressed with the government’s performance today. | Dave Hulse, from the GMB union, isn’t impressed with the government’s performance today. |
| “David Cameron should be ashamed of himself for ruling out a recall of Parliament. He makes out that the Government cares about working people but this clearly confirms that holidays are more important than the members we represent and the communities that they come from. | “David Cameron should be ashamed of himself for ruling out a recall of Parliament. He makes out that the Government cares about working people but this clearly confirms that holidays are more important than the members we represent and the communities that they come from. |
| Hulse also urges Sajid Javid to rethink his claim that nationalisation isn’t the answer: | Hulse also urges Sajid Javid to rethink his claim that nationalisation isn’t the answer: |
| If he is committed to doing the right thing then he has to rethink and listen to everyone connected with the steel industry or our steel manufacturing base will be lost forever.” | If he is committed to doing the right thing then he has to rethink and listen to everyone connected with the steel industry or our steel manufacturing base will be lost forever.” |
| (thanks to the Press Association for the quotes) | (thanks to the Press Association for the quotes) |
| 6.05pm BST | 6.05pm BST |
| 18:05 | 18:05 |
| Downing Street has now issued a statement, confirming there are “no plans” to recall MPs from their holidays to discuss the steel crisis. | Downing Street has now issued a statement, confirming there are “no plans” to recall MPs from their holidays to discuss the steel crisis. |
| A spokesperson says: | A spokesperson says: |
| Ministers will continue to hold briefings to update representatives of other parties on the situation but we have no plans to recall Parliament. Our focus is on finding a long-term sustainable future for steel making at Port Talbot and across the UK. | Ministers will continue to hold briefings to update representatives of other parties on the situation but we have no plans to recall Parliament. Our focus is on finding a long-term sustainable future for steel making at Port Talbot and across the UK. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 6.05pm BST | at 6.05pm BST |
| 5.58pm BST | 5.58pm BST |
| 17:58 | 17:58 |
| Insiders: Tata UK needs billions in investment | Insiders: Tata UK needs billions in investment |
| Industry insiders have told The Guardian that Tata’s UK steel operations need billions of pounds of investment. | Industry insiders have told The Guardian that Tata’s UK steel operations need billions of pounds of investment. |
| My colleague Graham Ruddick has also heard concerns about Tata’s pension costs. | My colleague Graham Ruddick has also heard concerns about Tata’s pension costs. |
| He reports: | He reports: |
| A senior source close to Tata said there were weeks rather than months to agree a rescue deal, with Port Talbot and the wider UK business losing significantly more than £1m every day. | A senior source close to Tata said there were weeks rather than months to agree a rescue deal, with Port Talbot and the wider UK business losing significantly more than £1m every day. |
| The financial problems facing Port Talbot are so significant that Tata is ready to “give it away for nothing”, the source said. | The financial problems facing Port Talbot are so significant that Tata is ready to “give it away for nothing”, the source said. |
| However, they warned that Tata had been trying to find a buyer for the UK steel division for 18 months and there were no candidates willing to press ahead with a deal, with billions of pounds needed to get the business back on track. | However, they warned that Tata had been trying to find a buyer for the UK steel division for 18 months and there were no candidates willing to press ahead with a deal, with billions of pounds needed to get the business back on track. |
| “They have spent nearly £4bn in the last eight years,” the source said. “It would need another £4bn.” | “They have spent nearly £4bn in the last eight years,” the source said. “It would need another £4bn.” |
| Here’s the full story: | Here’s the full story: |
| Tata sources warning that steel business needs billions of pounds of investment and that pension problems are "huge" | Tata sources warning that steel business needs billions of pounds of investment and that pension problems are "huge" |
| 5.55pm BST | 5.55pm BST |
| 17:55 | 17:55 |
| Jeremy Corbyn is now speaking to Sky News in Port Talbot. | Jeremy Corbyn is now speaking to Sky News in Port Talbot. |
| He warns that Britain risks losing a century of steelmaking expertise, if the government does not step in to rescue the industry. | He warns that Britain risks losing a century of steelmaking expertise, if the government does not step in to rescue the industry. |
| I suggest that the government listen to what people who have given their lives to the steel industry are saying, says Corbyn. | I suggest that the government listen to what people who have given their lives to the steel industry are saying, says Corbyn. |
| Does the government really want to be remembered for allowing the steel industry to be recalled, he asks. | Does the government really want to be remembered for allowing the steel industry to be recalled, he asks. |
| Steel workers believe there is a future for this industry, and so do I, the Labour leader continues. But there must be a declaration from the UK government that it is prepared to step in and save the steel industry. | Steel workers believe there is a future for this industry, and so do I, the Labour leader continues. But there must be a declaration from the UK government that it is prepared to step in and save the steel industry. |
| 5.36pm BST | 5.36pm BST |
| 17:36 | 17:36 |
| The word from Downing Street is that the government is “completely focused” on working with Tata, the trade unions and other interested parties, to deliver a “sustainable future” for the plant at Port Talbot, and the wider industry. | The word from Downing Street is that the government is “completely focused” on working with Tata, the trade unions and other interested parties, to deliver a “sustainable future” for the plant at Port Talbot, and the wider industry. |
| 5.27pm BST | 5.27pm BST |
| 17:27 | 17:27 |
| Here’s a clip of Jeremy Corbyn speaking in Port Talbot: | Here’s a clip of Jeremy Corbyn speaking in Port Talbot: |
| Jeremy Corbyn trying to rally steel workers in port talbot "save our steel" pic.twitter.com/6svQXtcenH | Jeremy Corbyn trying to rally steel workers in port talbot "save our steel" pic.twitter.com/6svQXtcenH |