Government has 'no plans to recall Parliament' over steel industry crisis

The Government has refused demands to recall Parliament to discuss the steel crisis.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn wrote to the Prime Minister urging him to hold a special session despite the Easter recess following a shock move by Tata Steel to sell its UK assets, threatening thousands of job cuts.

The Welsh Assembly is being recalled next week to debate the future of the industry, especially the huge plant at Port Talbot which employs 4,000 workers.

A spokesman for 10 Downing Street said: "Ministers will continue to hold briefings to update representatives of other parties on the situation but we have no plans to recall Parliament. Our focus is on finding a long-term sustainable future for steel making at Port Talbot and across the UK."

A petition backing a recall of Parliament has been signed by thousands of people.