Tata Steel has confirmed it is currently in negotiations to sell its Long Products business, which employs several thousands of workers.

The steel giant announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with Klesch Group.

The memorandum covers several UK-based assets including Tata Steel's Scunthorpe steelworks, mills in Teesside, Dalzell and Clydebridge in Scotland, an engineering workshop in Workington and a rail consultancy in York, as well as other operations in France and Germany.

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About 6,500 people are employed at Long Products Europe and its distribution facilities. Tata Steel employs 30,500 people across Europe, including 17,500 in the UK.

Karl Koehler, Chief Executive of Tata Steel's European operations, said: "We will now move into detailed due diligence and negotiations, though no assurance can be given about the outcome.

"We will regularly engage with our employees and other stakeholders throughout this process, and we will consult with the trade union representatives and works councils.

"We are making huge strides on our strategic journey to become a premium, customer-centred steel company thanks to investment in equipment, technology and customers, together with the substantial contributions from our employees."

(JP/MH)