STEEL unions have reiterated calls for the Government to stop steelworkers missing out on pension payments.

The National Trade Union Steel Coordinating Committee says it wants guarantees on the old British Steel pension scheme.

The organisation, made up of the Community, Unite and GMB organisations, says it is worried people will miss out if the scheme goes into the Pension Protection Fund (PPF).

Tata’s pension bill stands at about £15bn and is seen as one of the major barriers to bosses’ desire to sell the business’ remaining plants, which include the 600-job Hartlepool pipe mills.

A spokesman said: “The British Steel Pension Scheme has provided dignity and security in retirement for generations of steelworkers and their dependents.

“This is an extraordinary situation.

“We have a company that is up for sale and at risk of insolvency and we have a relatively well-funded pension scheme that, as things stand, appears destined for the PPF despite being sufficiently funded to pay better than PPF benefits on an ongoing basis.

“There is a strong argument the Government should support the proposal to keep the scheme out of the PPF in the absence of an alternative.

“However, we also stress changing the law is not our preferred option, and that all stakeholders must continue to explore every possibility that would keep the scheme out of the PPF.”

Tata previously sold its Long Products division, which employs nearly 900 workers across the North-East and York and includes the Teesside Beam Mill, at Lackenby, near Redcar, to investor Greybull Capital for £1.

The company has struggled against lower steel prices, rising imports and increased energy costs.