Tata Steel 'to cut 1,200 jobs'

Tata said it would not comment on 'rumour and speculation'

The Tata owned steel works in Port Talbot, Wales (pictured) are thought to be safe from the cuts (Matt Cardy/Getty Images)

Tata Steel is rumoured to be preparing to announce 1,200 job cuts at its Scunthorpe steel plant next week.

It is also thought the company could axe more jobs at two sites in Scotland, Dalzell and Clydebridge.

The cuts are expected to be announced on Tuesday.

The announcement would deal a blow to the steel industry soon after steelmaking ended at the Redcar plant on Teesside.

Tata said it would not comment on "rumour and speculation".

Roy Rickhuss, general secretary of Community, said: "Clearly this is extremely worrying news for all those who may be affected. We'll be seeking further discussions with Tata Steel to understand the full detail, examine alternatives that may safeguard jobs and uphold our principle of opposing compulsory redundancies.

"This is yet another blow to our steel communities and demonstrates the precarious state of the UK steel industry and emphasises the need for government action which Community and the employers have been calling for at the summit today.

"We will also be seeking a meeting with the Scottish Government as a matter of urgency to discuss what support they can offer to Tata Steel's Scottish steel mills at Dalzell and Clydebridge."

Additional reporting by Press Association.