I'm looking forward to joining Tees Valley Mayor, Ben Houchen, tomorrow at a public meeting to update everyone regarding the situation at British Steel.

While new ownership is sought for British Steel, the overwhelming priority of everyone is to keep its plants open and people in work, and that was my message in Parliament this afternoon.

The announcement that British Steel has placed itself into insolvency is an absolute hammer-blow for steel workers and their families. My number one priority is to ensure a sustainable future for the operations at Skinningrove and Lackenby.

We all know the crucial importance of the British Steel Special Profiles business to the East Cleveland economy. It’s a great plant staffed by highly skilled and dedicated workers, and works hand-in-glove with the Caterpillar factory next door, which is its primary customer.

We've become so used to really strong jobs data over the last few years that there's a danger of taking it for granted. But this is happening for a reason, because Conservatives are making the right choices supporting businesses and lowering taxes:

Over the last couple of years, we’ve become used to the drumbeat of good news stories about our local economy. Government backing for this giant new power station is another really important example.

It’s a really proud day for Middlesbrough to have won the right to service and maintain HMS Enterprise, Echo and Protector. Shipbuilding and repair is one of our region’s historic strengths and this is a tribute to the skills of U.K. Docks.

The ONS’s summary of today’s brilliant UK jobs market news shows:

?‍? Employment at an all-time high
? Unemployment below 4% for first time in 44 years
?‍♂️ Fewest people economically inactive ever
? Wages up 3.4% - almost twice the rate of inflation

? JUST ANNOUNCED: A New Offshore Wind Sector Deal - great for lots of Teesside firms!

➡️ 1/3 of ALL UK electricity to be produced by clean offshore wind by 2030.

➡️ Tripling jobs in offshore wind to 27,000 people.

After a phenomenal start to 2019, from saving Teesside Airport to sealing the deal for the Tata land in Redcar, it was good to pay tribute to our Tess Valley Mayor, Ben Houchen in Parliament yesterday. It was great to hear the Government's full support in reply!