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Tata Steel: Sajid Javid to seek 'responsible' sale Tata Steel: Sajid Javid to seek 'responsible' sale
(about 9 hours later)
Tata Steel should agree to a "responsible sales process" of its UK plants, the business secretary has said as he heads to India for talks.Tata Steel should agree to a "responsible sales process" of its UK plants, the business secretary has said as he heads to India for talks.
Sajid Javid is meeting Tata chairman Cyrus Mistry for the first time since the firm announced the sale a week ago.Sajid Javid is meeting Tata chairman Cyrus Mistry for the first time since the firm announced the sale a week ago.
It comes after steelworkers' union Community asked Tata to clarify the timeframe for the sale, and make sure it was not a "rushed process".It comes after steelworkers' union Community asked Tata to clarify the timeframe for the sale, and make sure it was not a "rushed process".
Mr Javid tweeted that he was committed to finding "a long-term solution". Local MP Stephen Kinnock said it was vital the sale was allowed enough time.
Mr Kinnock, the MP for Aberavon, which includes Port Talbot, told the BBC: "My sense is that Tata Steel are keen to move very quickly, they want to find a buyer as quickly as possible.
"I think what's absolutely critical is that the government now comes forward with a plan that will buy as much time as possible in terms of helping Tata Steel to keep going while we search for a buyer."
Mr Javid said that he was committed to finding "a long-term solution".
In a statement, he said the government was "using all possible ministerial, official and diplomatic levers to help secure the long-term future of the steel industry in the UK".In a statement, he said the government was "using all possible ministerial, official and diplomatic levers to help secure the long-term future of the steel industry in the UK".
UK steel crisisUK steel crisis
'Substantial support' needed for steel'Substantial support' needed for steel
Who might buy Tata in Port Talbot?Who might buy Tata in Port Talbot?
What's going wrong with Britain's steel industry?What's going wrong with Britain's steel industry?
Tata Steel UK: What are the options?Tata Steel UK: What are the options?
Is China to blame for steel woes?Is China to blame for steel woes?
Mr Javid, who was on a business trip to Australia when Tata announced it was planning to sell its UK steelworks, is under pressure over his handling of the crisis.Mr Javid, who was on a business trip to Australia when Tata announced it was planning to sell its UK steelworks, is under pressure over his handling of the crisis.
The business secretary has admitted he was caught unaware by Tata's announcement, telling the BBC that while he had known the firm was reviewing its UK operations, the firm had gone "much further than we expected".The business secretary has admitted he was caught unaware by Tata's announcement, telling the BBC that while he had known the firm was reviewing its UK operations, the firm had gone "much further than we expected".
Unions have accused the business secretary of "taking his eye off the ball", and have called for him to stand down if a buyer for the steelworks is not found.Unions have accused the business secretary of "taking his eye off the ball", and have called for him to stand down if a buyer for the steelworks is not found.
Steel saviour?Steel saviour?
The Mumbai meeting comes a day after Mr Javid held what he described as "constructive meetings" with unions and the industry body UK Steel.The Mumbai meeting comes a day after Mr Javid held what he described as "constructive meetings" with unions and the industry body UK Steel.
On Tuesday, Mr Javid also met Welsh First Minister Carwyn Jones and Sanjeev Gupta, chief executive of the commodities firm Liberty House, which has said it is interested in buying Tata's British steel operations, including Port Talbot.On Tuesday, Mr Javid also met Welsh First Minister Carwyn Jones and Sanjeev Gupta, chief executive of the commodities firm Liberty House, which has said it is interested in buying Tata's British steel operations, including Port Talbot.
Tata Steel directly employs 15,000 workers in the UK, across plants in Port Talbot, Rotherham, Corby and Shotton, and supports thousands of other jobs.Tata Steel directly employs 15,000 workers in the UK, across plants in Port Talbot, Rotherham, Corby and Shotton, and supports thousands of other jobs.
Mr Gupta earlier told the BBC he could take over all of the business without mass job losses.Mr Gupta earlier told the BBC he could take over all of the business without mass job losses.
Two other potential buyers: German Group ThyssenKrupp and investment firm Greybull have also been reported to be interested in acquiring parts of Tata's UK steel operations.Two other potential buyers: German Group ThyssenKrupp and investment firm Greybull have also been reported to be interested in acquiring parts of Tata's UK steel operations.
But Roy Rickhuss, general secretary of steelworkers' union Community, said the government "must ensure that individual plants are not cherry picked by investors with no commitment to maintaining our national steel making capacity".But Roy Rickhuss, general secretary of steelworkers' union Community, said the government "must ensure that individual plants are not cherry picked by investors with no commitment to maintaining our national steel making capacity".
"Our steel industry cannot simply be sold off for scrap, it should only be sold to a new owner with the patience to allow British steel making to succeed," he said."Our steel industry cannot simply be sold off for scrap, it should only be sold to a new owner with the patience to allow British steel making to succeed," he said.
Tata Steel has said there is "no fixed timeline" for the sale process but has stressed that urgency is needed to avoid "a long period of uncertainty" for employees and customers.Tata Steel has said there is "no fixed timeline" for the sale process but has stressed that urgency is needed to avoid "a long period of uncertainty" for employees and customers.
The steel industry crisis has been driven by falling prices and a global oversupply. In the UK, high energy costs and cheaper Chinese imports have exacerbated the issue.The steel industry crisis has been driven by falling prices and a global oversupply. In the UK, high energy costs and cheaper Chinese imports have exacerbated the issue.