Parliament should be recalled from recess so it can address the looming crisis facing British steelmaking, Jeremy Corbyn has said.
Indian steelmaking firm Tata has announced it is to sell off the lossmaking parts of its UK steelmaking capacity.
The company’s Port Talbot site – which provides jobs for 5,500 of the company’s 15,000-strong UK steelmaking workforce – is thought to be losing around £1 million a day.
Despite the looming crisis the House of Commons is however in its customary Easter recess and is not currently sitting.
MPs have returned to their constituencies and are not set to come back to Westminster until 11 April, just under two weeks’ time.
The Labour leader said MPs needed to return to Parliament immediately hold ministers’ decisions to account.
“The news that Tata is preparing to pull out of steelmaking in Britain puts thousands of jobs across the country and a strategic UK-wide industry at risk,” he said.
“MPs must have the chance now to debate the future of steel and hold ministers to account for their failure to intervene.
“Steelworkers and their families will be desperately worried about the uncertainty. The Government is in disarray over what action to take. Ministers must act now to protect the steel industry, which is at the heart of manufacturing in Britain and vital to its future.
“It is essential, for the sake of the industry and the people who work in it, that Government keeps Parliament and the country informed of developments and the action it is taking.”
The call comes as Business Secretary Sajid Javid cuts short a trip to Australia to return to deal with the crisis.
The Welsh Assembly has already been recalled on account of Port Talbot’s location in Wales.
Downing Street said it was “looking at” Mr Corbyn’s request to recall parliament but that they were focused on helping steel workers.
Ministers say they are looking at all options for helping the beleaguered steelmaking industry – and have not ruled out temporary nationalisation of steel plants until a long-term buyer is found.
The BBC also reports that the Government is looking at providing loan guarantees for potential plant purchasers.
Tata says it has been advised to undertake a “strategic review” of its operations in Europe. It recently shelved a £100 million restructuring programme at Port Talbot to modernise the site due to the perceived risks of the investment.
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