Scottish Ministers are seeking to play a role in EU level talks on steel dumping, it has been announced.

Business Minister Fergus Ewing has called for the Scottish Government to be part of talks due to take place on 29 October in Hamilton.

The move comes ahead of a statement to Parliament on 27 October and the first meeting of the Scottish Steel Task Force this Thursday.

Tata Steel announced last week its Scottish sites, Dalzell in Motherwell and Clydebridge in Cambuslang, are to be mothballed with the loss of 270 jobs.

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Mr Ewing said: "Steel dumping has been crippling the UK steel industry yet the UK Government’s approach been completely inadequate for too long. I welcome the Secretary of State's belated recognition that he urgently needs to do something about it.

"Given the devastating impact that steel dumping has on the Scottish industry, I would like to see the Scottish Government have representation in EU talks to address the problem.

"The UK Government can also be taking action now and bring forward help for industries with high energy costs."

The cross party Task Force members will be updated on efforts find a viable future for Dalzell and Clydebridge, support for the workforce and potential impacts on local communities and the supply chain.‬

Mr Ewing added: "The Scottish Government's priority is find a buyer to continue with commercial production and keep as many jobs as possible."

(LM)