THE Government has done everything it can to help rebuild Teesside after a steelmaker’s collapse, an MP last night claimed.

Sajid Javid told The Northern Echo Downing Street has acted decisively in addressing the fall-out from SSI UK’s liquidation, which left more than 2,000 people redundant.

Mr Javid had been criticised for “letting steelmaking die on Teesside” by hiding behind state aid rules over any rescue plan during his tenure as Business Secretary, and the Government continues to draw the ire of many in Redcar and its surrounding area.

However, speaking in Darlington, he pointed to support for the Tees Valley Combined Authority’s efforts in reviving the region, saying the Government was right behind plans to attract new investment and clean up the former SSI works.

He said: “The Government has done everything it can.

“People understand, at the end of the day, that no business can be successful if it is living off a subsidy year after year and is not being sustainable.”

Mr Javid was speaking during a visit to Keepmoat’s Darlington Central Park estate, where he referred to a £7.2bn funding drive to increase housebuilding, highlighting the Housing Infrastructure Fund.

Revealed in Chancellor Philip Hammond’s Autumn Statement, the Government says the scheme will allow local authorities to bid for financial support on infrastructure, such as new roads and utility work, to push forward sites in high demand areas.

Referring to a nadir in construction under Labour, Mr Javid, who was made Communities Secretary in Theresa May’s Cabinet reshuffle, said the North-East stands to benefit from the changes.

He said: “I’m very pleased with what I’ve seen in Darlington; people want to live here and they are quality homes.

“But we haven’t built enough homes for decades now and, as a result, house prices have increased.

“It is only by building more houses that we will alleviate the financial burden on those who are struggling to manage.”

David Budd, chairman of Tees Valley Combined Authority, added: “We welcome Mr Javid's commitments to further investment in housing and we commit to a strong investment partnership to deliver new homes for the Tees Valley.”

According to Government figures, building firms, councils and housing associations from across the North-East will be able to bid for a share of funds, including part of a £2.3bn pot that has the potential to deliver as many as 100,000 new properties.

The numbers also include £1.4bn, which officials say could deliver an additional 40,000 affordable home starts by 2020.

Keepmoat’s Darlington development includes properties built on land formerly used as a council depot and clearance area.

The homes are supported by the Government’s Help to Buy scheme.