Drawing from my South Wales' heritage I was proud to speak up for the British Steel industry and speak of my sadness about the fate that has befallen UK steel; particularly looking at the wider impact of the loss of jobs on local communities and family life.

This "perfect storm" of increased steel production and slowed economic growth in China has meant a flooded European market and this has forced British industry into cost-cutting measures, just to survive.

I am pleased that the government is pursuing several different paths in order to support and revive our UK steel industry. We have consistently been anti-subsidy but are instead leading on public procurement - this is where the government buys British steel (with procurement contracts) as well as encouraging UK private industry to "buy British". We are also looking ways to improve local taxes and reduce industry costs in order that we can increase competitiveness in the European markets.

The Government is also promoting discussion in the European Council about pushing European Steel interests ahead of their Chinese counterparts, by which means British Steel should see a direct benefit.

Please see the video below for the full speech

http://parliamentlive.tv/event/index/bd58e181-99d8-462e-b335-de8c85e0c5e4?in=20:02:27&out=20:07:46