Hundreds Take Part In 'Save Our Steel' Rally

Hundreds of steel workers and their families from across the country have taken part in a national "Save Our Steel" rally.

The event - which aims to prompt action from the Government and companies - was organised by steel unions amid what they describe as "a growing crisis" in the industry.

Thousands of job losses have been announced in recent months, most recently by Tata Steel , which is losing 1,100 workers from plants in Scunthorpe and Lanarkshire.

That followed news last month that administrators had been called into Caparo Industries and that 452 jobs would be lost at plants across the country.

More than 2,000 steelworkers lost their jobs in September with the collapse of the SSI plant in Redcar .

Roy Rickhuss, general secretary of the steelworkers' union Community, told the rally that the steel industry was running out of time.

He said: "The industry is suffering now. The time for Government action is now.

"We cannot give this Government even the smallest excuse to divert focus from delivering the urgent and meaningful action the industry so badly needs right now.

"We cannot allow our struggle for survival to be hijacked as a piece of political theatre. We must secure the rightful place of steelmaking at the absolute heart of an active industrial strategy."

TUC general secretary Frances O'Grady said: "The crisis in British steel isn't over. One in six steelworkers face losing their jobs.

"Britain desperately needs a long-term industrial plan, but ministers have refused to commit to one."

Manufacturers say cheap Chinese imports are primarily to blame. A strengthening pound and sluggish global demand for steel are also playing a part.

Business minister Anna Soubry said: "The Government is well aware of the challenges facing our steel industry and we are working tirelessly to help.

"On dumping we have taken clear action. In July, we voted for anti-dumping measures on Chinese wire rod imports and just last week voted for further anti-dumping measures on other steel products.

"It was the UK that helped persuade the European Commission to launch an investigation into steel rebar imports and the UK that secured an emergency EU council meeting this month.

"We will continue to do all we can to achieve a level playing field for our steel industry and workers."