Unite's national officer for steel said the government needed to explain why the EU had a deal but the UK did not.

Some steel exports from Great Britain to Northern Ireland are facing a 25% tariff because of changes to EU rules.

Sector faces glut of cheap imports because of recommendation that EU protections should not be renewed.

A government body has recommended that protections inherited from the EU to protect UK steel producers are ended.

‘The number one priority is to secure a withdrawal agreement as soon as possible, ending this uncertainty and avoiding the turmoil of a no-deal Brexit,’ says Gareth Stace of UK Steel