This is a sad and emotional time for Orb workers, who have proudly given everything to try to save the works.  They should be proud of the campaign they have fought to preserve electrical steelmaking in this city.   I would like to pay particular tribute to Community and Unite the Union Representatives who have worked so hard for the workers in these difficult times.

The fact that TATA have mothballed the site gives hope that manufacturing could continue at Orb but that will need the Government to work for a solution that will enable steelmaking to re-start. This industry could and should have a future, and I will continue to campaign for that future.