Business Secretary Sajid Javid is due to meet with steel workers and managers in Port Talbot later today, 01 April.

At the meeting, Mr Javid is expected to tell those attending that 'all possible ministerial, official and diplomatic influence' will be used to help secure the long term future of the steel industry.

Thousands of jobs are under threat in Port Talbot after Tata Steel revealed earlier this week it was selling its UK assets, including its Welsh facility.

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It is understood once a formal sales process is underway, independent advisors will also be appointed by government. From there, Mr Javid will work with the Commercial Secretary to the Treasury Jim O'Neill, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Oliver Letwin and Welsh Secretary Alun Cairns – as well as the Welsh Government – in helping secure a buyer for Tata's steel assets.

"I'm going to Port Talbot to meet staff and management, who are understandably extremely anxious about their future," Mr Javid said.

"I will listen to them, and I want to reassure them myself that the government is on their side in working hard to achieve a long term solution for them, for the region and for the wider UK steel industry.

"Whilst we can't change the status of the global steel market, we can and are playing a positive role in securing a sustainable future."

(LM)