UK steel crisis: Prime Minister David Cameron rejects Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn’s call for MPs to hold an emergency debate over Tata Steel
UPDATE: Downing Street has rejected Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn's appeal for MPs to return to London from their Easter holidays to debate the future of the British steel industry.
A Number 10 spokesman said this afternoon: "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," the spokesperson added.
It was reported earlier today that business secretary Sajid Javid has cut short his tour of Australia to fly back to the UK.
Corbyn wrote to Prime Minister David Cameron earlier today asking the Prime Minister to call back MPs for an emergency debate, following the news last night that Tata Steel is set to sell all of its UK assets.
"The news that Tata is preparing to pull out of steelmaking in Britain puts thousands of jobs across the country and a strategic UK-wide industry at risk," Corbyn wrote today.
The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) said today that 40,000 jobs across Britain could be lost if no buyer is found for Tata Steel's UK business.
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"MPs must have the chance now to debate the future of steel and hold ministers to account for their failure to intervene," Corbyn added.
"Steelworkers and their families will be desperately worried about the uncertainty. The government is in disarray over what action to take. Ministers must act now to protect the steel industry, which is at the heart of manufacturing in Britain and vital to its future."
Business minister Anna Soubry said earlier today that the government is considering "all options" for Tata's Port Talbot steel plant.
Read more: UK government under pressure over Tata Steel sell-off
MPs are currently on Easter recess until 11 April.
Prime Minister David Cameron is expected to return to London from a holiday with his family in Lanzarote this afternoon. Cameron is set to travel to Washington, D.C. tomorrow for the Nuclear Security Summit.