Tata Steel jobs: David Cameron says there are 'no guarantees' on steel crisis

David Cameron says the government is "doing everything it can" to save thousands of steel jobs - but warned there were "no guarantees of success".

 

Speaking after chairing crisis talks on Tata Steel's decision to sell its UK business, the PM said nationalisation was not the answer but the government was "not ruling anything out".

Ministers are under pressure to secure the future of the threatened plants.

Labour criticised their handling of the crisis, telling them to "get a grip".

Tata Steel's UK business - which directly employs 15,000 workers and supports thousands of others - includes plants in Port Talbot, Rotherham, Corby and Shotton.

The Port Talbot plant - which employs 5,500 people - is said to be losing £1m a day.

Mr Cameron defended the government's handling of the crisis after Labour said it was "missing in action".

Shadow business secretary Angela Eagle said "the danger signs have been flashing red but have been largely ignored by the government" and accused the PM of having "failed to show any leadership".

Mr Cameron said the situation at Port Talbot was of deep "concern" and said the steel jobs were "vital" to workers' families and the communities.

"The government will do everything it can working with the company to try and secure the future of steelmaking in Port Talbot and across our country. It's a vital industry," he said.