Tata Steel which employs 19,000 people in its UK steel business has announced it is cutting 900 jobs around the UK, including almost 584 jobs at plants in south Wales, as a result of a four year downturn in demand for steel bar products and pipelines.

It is believed the losses are in management and administrative posts at the in Port Talbot site. Although sites in Crosskeys, Caerphilly county, and one near Tredegar, Blaenau Gwent will close. But there was some good news announced as well, as Tata said it would restart one of two blast furnaces at Port Talbot early next year this creating 120 jobs, as part of a £250m investment programme.

Karl Kohler, chief executive of Tata Steel's European operations, said: "These restructuring proposals will help make our business more successful and sustainable, but the job losses are regrettable and I know this will be a difficult and unsettling time for the employees and their families affected.

Welsh Secretary David Jones said businesses were facing "challenging conditions" this commercial decision is one that has been undertaken to ensure Tata's UK operations can remain competitive.

I am Ann Salter thanks for watching. Stay tuned for the latest news and updates on this story with us at ibtimes.co.uk

Written and presented by Ann Salter