MINISTERS must “stop hiding behind the EU” in their attempt to pass the buck over the steel crisis, shadow business secretary Angela Eagle said yesterday as hundreds of steelworkers took to the streets.

A demonstration in Scunthorpe saw workers chant: “Save our steel,” and call for more support for the ailing industry, which has fallen victim to high energy costs, cheap Chinese imports and the profit-driven agenda of big business.

Hundreds of jobs are set to go at Tata’s plant in Scunthorpe, which has been earmarked for sale.

Steelworkers’ union Community general secretary Roy Rickhuss said: “Tata Steel needs to show that it will be a responsible seller of the business and that it won’t just abandon the steelworkers of Scunthorpe and the rest of its Long Products business.”