THE government won’t let British steelmaking wither in the post-Brexit era, a senior minister has vowed.

Business Minister Anna Soubry says Theresa May’s new Conservative regime is committed to the sector’s long-term future.

Ms Soubry, who was in Redcar last year when SSI UK collapsed into liquidation, said it was important Britain retains a strong relationship with Europe to maintain exports, which include Nissan cars, made using British steel, in Sunderland.

She also stressed the government will look to secure greater purchasing of British steel for UK projects.

She said: “If companies need support or want to talk, we will do everything we can.

“Notwithstanding the referendum result, let us put some confidence back and say we will maintain a sustainable industry.

“Access to the single market is absolutely critical and it is important we buy British-made steel.

“It is also important we secure tariff-free access to the European market, not just for the steel sector but for the parts of our economy that buy British steel, such as the automotive sector.”

Ms Soubry’s comments came after Hartlepool MP, Iain Wright, called on the government to step up efforts to instil market confidence and amend costly energy and business rates.

Mr Wright was speaking at a Westminster Hall debate yesterday, just days after Tata Steel announced it had started the process of selling parts of its Hartlepool pipe mills, which employ around 600 people.

He added: “There is still an unlevel playing field between ourselves and European operations.

“Energy costs remain a concern and mean UK steel producers and manufacturers face an additional cost to make steel, relative to their European rivals, of around £1m a week.

“The Brexit vote has produced enormous uncertainty and businesses might want to pause their investment plans.

“But if we are in a global race for economic progress, we cannot afford to pause.

“We will be left behind.”