This Labour Government was elected on an ironclad commitment to steel. We finally have a Secretary of State who understands our steel industry and is fighting for its future.

The Government must do everything in its power to retain our construction steel industry.

The deal available to the Chinese owners of British Steel, Jingye, matches what Tata accepted in Wales.

After the hard work put into the negotiations by both parties, it’s very disappointing that Jingye isn’t engaging with the offer on the table and are choosing to walk away.

Let me be clear – our Chinese partners are failing in their responsibility as custodians of UK construction steel.

The UK management and workforce here in Scunthorpe have been heroic. Our steelmakers are the finest in the world.

Since I was elected, I have done everything I can to get all parties to agree a deal to secure the future of our construction steel industry and protect local jobs.

I am continuing to work with the Government, the Trade Unions and Jingye to ensure we retain our UK construction steelmaking which is vital to our national security.

I am focused on one thing – securing the future of our steelworks, not just for our community here in the Scunthorpe area, but for its strategic importance to the whole of the United Kingdom.