Deadline for Tata Steel bidders

TATA Steel is expected to start the process of narrowing down the bidders to take over its UK operations — including its plants in Rotherham — this week.

The deadline for interested parties to submit bids is today and the company said it is aiming to complete the sale by the end of June.

It confirmed earlier this month it had seven expressions of interest in taking over the whole of Tata’s British operation, at which 11,000 jobs were put at risk, including in Rotherham, when Tata announced plans to withdraw in March.

The Government has pledged support for the business, taking a stake of up to 25 per cent to smooth the sale process.

Steelworkers from across the country will stage a march in central London on Wednesday to keep up pressure on the Government and Tata to help save jobs at plants.