“Support our steel industry now or risk losing it forever”

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Prime Minister given stark warning about industry sustainability amid energy price crisis

New fears have been raised for the future of the industry

Tens of thousands of steel jobs are at risk unless Liz Truss throws a lifeline to the struggling industry, the struggling Prime Minister warned today.

A union leader told the Prime Minister: 'Support our steel industry now or risk losing it forever.'

In the starkest warning yet of the difficulties facing the sector, Community Metalworkers' Union General Secretary Roy Rickhuss warned Ms Truss: 'The stakes couldn't be higher and time is running out.

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"Our industry is bleeding, we urgently need investment to keep us from falling further and further behind the competition."

Community Steelworkers Union General Secretary Roy Rickhuss (

Picture:

DailyMirror)

The desperate plea comes as the sector faces crippling electricity prices.

Insiders say rival firms in the EU are getting aid that is making UK businesses less competitive.

They repeatedly demanded a 'level playing field' for British industry to thrive.

In a letter to the Prime Minister, seen by the Mirror, Mr Rickhuss warns him that "our industry cannot survive if you force us to continue to pay energy prices far above those paid by our competitors of the EU".