The Business Secretary has brought together industry, unions, UK government and ministers from the devolved administrations to map the steel sector’s long-term future.

The high-level Steel Council builds on the work of the ministerial working groups which focused on addressing the immediate, pressing issues faced by the industry.

The UK government has been able to deliver on energy costs, government procurement and EU emissions regulations. There remain global challenges creating severe pressure and the UK government is lobbying the EU to put the steel industry on a level playing field.

Business Secretary Sajid Javid said: “The crisis facing the British steel industry and workers is grave indeed. But people should be in no doubt that this government has done, and will continue to do, everything that is possible to secure the future of British steel making and protect Britain’s wider economy. That includes working more closely than ever with the industry in the new joint Steel Council.”

Co-chair Jon Bolton of UK Steel said:”It is a welcome step that the government is continuing to respond to the needs of the UK steel sector and has acted on calls for a longer term, business-focused Steel Council.”

The business leaders on the council represent many of the UK’s producers and will be well placed to determine what steps are needed to develop and support a steel sector enabling it to meet the future UK industrial and infrastructure demands.