Labour
today met with senior representatives of Tata Steel to discuss the future of
the UK steel industry.
Shadow
Chancellor John McDonnell MP and Shadow Secretary of State for Business,
Innovation and Skills Angela Eagle MP met with Koushik Chatterjee, Group
Executive Director of Tata Steel and Bimlendra Jha, Chief Executive Officer of
Tata Steel UK in Westminster this morning, along with representatives of the
steel unions Community, GMB and Unite.
Tata
Steel announced their plans to sell their entire UK business in March. Since
then Labour has been working to secure the future of UK steel making.
The
constructive discussions focused on the sale process and the future of the
industry. John McDonnell and Angela Eagle stressed the importance of ensuring
sufficient time for a suitable buyer to be found. They also discussed the
changes needed to ensure the sustainable future of the UK steel industry,
including action on energy, business rates, and the British Steel Pension
Scheme.
All
parties agreed the need to find a resolution to the pension issue which both
protected workers and pensioners, and supported the sale process and the future
sustainability of the business.
Steel
is a foundation industry. It is vital for UK manufacturing and it supports
40,000 jobs across the country. Labour will continue to push the Government to
do what is necessary to save our steel industry.
John
McDonnell MP, Shadow Chancellor said:
“We had a positive meeting today
with the management of TATA Steel and we are both agreed on working together to
protect the jobs and pensions of UK steelworkers.
"The steel sector is a vital part of the UK economy and Labour will keep
the pressure on this Tory Government while providing them with a legitimate
alternative like Labour’s Four Point Plan to Save Our Steel Industry.”
Angela
Eagle MP, Shadow First Secretary of State and Shadow Secretary of State for
Business, Innovation and Skills said:
“We
are determined to work in partnership with Tata Steel and the steel unions to
secure the future of this vital foundation industry. We also welcome Tata
Steel’s commitments to being a responsible seller.
“Steel
can have a bright future if we take the right decisions now. We’ll keep the
pressure up on the Tory Government to do what is necessary to save our steel.”