Cameron accused of 'crocodile tears' as Sheffield Forgemasters cuts jobs

Sheffield Brightside MP Harry Harpham described the announcement by steel firm Sheffield Forgemasters as “devastating” for the families affected.

The company blamed the fall in steel prices, the slump engulfing the oil and gas industries and the slowdown in the global economy for the decision to cut one-in-seven jobs.

The announcement was the latest evidence of the crisis in the British steel industry and came just two days after Tata Steel announced major job cuts in South Wales.

Mr Harpham raised the issue at Prime Minister’s Questions in the Commons.

He said: “We have had lots of warm words and hand-wringing and some crocodile tears from the Prime Minister and Ministers in this Chamber about the tsunami of job losses across the steel industry.

“Can he tell me when he will actually do something to support world-class companies such as Sheffield Forgemasters?”

David Cameron claimed the Government had taken action which would save energy intensive industries £400 million over the next five years.

He added: “When the Labour party was in power, what happened to employment in the steel industry? It was cut by 35,000—cut in half.

“Where were the carve-outs from the energy bills then? Where were the special arrangements for taking votes in Europe that we have put in place?

“Where were the rules to make sure that we buy British steel when it comes to public procurement, as we will for HS2 and the carrier programme?

“If he is interested in Sheffield Forgemasters, he might want to have a little word with his leader about something called a Trident submarine.”

Mr Cameron was referring to Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn’s opposition to the renewal of Britain’s Trident nuclear deterrent and the impact such a decision would have on jobs.

Sheffield Forgemasters makes steel cylinders which are used as casings for the nuclear reactors that power Trident submarines.

Across the steel industry around 5,000 job losses have been announced since last summer.

Also during Prime Minister’s Questions, Welsh MP Jonathan Edwards criticised the Government for backing China receiving “market economy status” from the World Trade Organisation at a time when the country is accused of dumping cheap steal on global markets.

“Is this not a classic case of the Westminster Government once again putting the bankers of London before manufacturing workers in Wales and the rest of the UK?” he said.

Mr Cameron said Europe had taken action against dumping by other countries and that “robust action” should be taken against China where it was justified. Welsh companies needed help to access Chinese markets, he said.