Black Country Steel Company Caparo Goes Into Administration

19 October 2015, 20:12 | Updated: 30 March 2016, 13:50

Oldbury based steel company Caparo has gone into administration putting 1,800 jobs at risk.

The cuts would hit several parts of the UK but 80% would be in the West Midlands.

The firm, which is owned by Labour peer Lord Paul, produces a number of steel products.  They are based in the Oldbury with 13 of their sites in Birmingham and the Black Country.

The news comes ahead of an expected announcement on Tuesday by Tata, confirming 1,200 job losses at steel plants in Scunthorpe and Scotland.

Cheap Chinese Steel Being Blamed

Angela Eagle, shadow business secretary said: "This is a further blow to the steel industry which is now on its knees, and my thoughts are with the employees of Caparo who are facing uncertainty over their future.

"The industry needs urgent action from the Government, however this Government seems content to let the industry fail.

"Rather than setting up more talking shops the Government should be taking action to tackle higher energy prices, they should be providing export and procurement support and be looking at what temporary measures could help the industry, including looking again at business rates.

"With the Chinese president in the UK this week, I hope the Government will raise the issue of anti-competitive dumping which is driving down steel prices.''

The Prime Minister has pledged to raise the issue of the "dumping'' of cheap steel with the Chinese president.

Speaking in the Commons, David Cameron said no subjects were off the table during the four-day visit by President Xi Jinping.