UNIONS called on David Cameron to “get a grip” on the steel crisis yesterday and start by meeting workers during emergency talks in London.

Unite assistant general secretary Tony Burke said that representatives from all the steel unions across Tata Steel were meeting “with a determination to fight for their industry, their communities and to save our steel.”

He warned there were 40,000 workers in the steel industry and supply chain who are “staring down the barrel of a gun” adding that British manufacturing “depends on having a vibrant steel industry” and would lead to significant job losses if the plants closed.