CORUS has confirmed the Scunthorpe steelworks will take the biggest jobs hit in the UK.

Here is the Corus statement in full:

Corus Long Products Division has today announced proposals, which would further align its business to an anticipated prolonged downturn in global steel demand. The proposals would lead to the loss of 1,922 jobs across the UK, and 123 jobs in The Netherlands.

Corus has also announced plans to restructure its Tubes business to allow it to meet current and future demand.

The plans include the streamlining of Corus Tubes' organisational structure across its six sites (in the UK and Netherlands), the rationalisation of its assets, including the closure of its Arnhem site, and the reduction of shift levels in Hartlepool.

The business has already made significant cost savings since the market downturn began last autumn with the support of its employees and union representatives, but a number of sites have suffered a further deterioration in demand for their products, and the market forecasts indicate that the recovery in demand will take longer than previously anticipated.

The company is proposing the following job reductions:

• Stocksbridge – 379

• Rotherham (including 45 at Brinsworth) – 422

• Hartlepool – 156

• The Netherlands – 123

• Teesside Beam Mill (Lackenby) – 150

• Skinningrove – 113

• Dalzell and Clydebridge – 96

• Corby – 88

• Bolton – 9

• Darlington – 9

In addition to this, a review of the management, professional, technical and support services across the division begins today.

It is anticipated that this will lead to the loss of a further 500 jobs, with the majority expected to be from Scunthorpe.

Phil Dryden, divisional director, said: "This review recognises that we need to reduce our cost base."

Despite these changes, Corus will retain its existing customer offering and it will continue to be able to respond to any new opportunities.

"Since last autumn, we have experienced a significant reduction in orders, particularly from the automotive and construction sectors, and we've already taken a number of steps to align our costs to this lower demand, " added Mr Dryden.

"There has been a more recent decline in some of our order books, however, and the latest market forecasts indicate that the recovery in demand will take much longer than previously anticipated. This slow and prolonged recovery means we have to take urgent action to restructure our business.

"At the same time, we will retain the capability to service our existing customers and be ready to respond to any new opportunities as they arise.

"I appreciate how distressing this news is for all those affected but I am also extremely aware of our responsibility to achieve the ongoing survival of the Long Products businesses, the impact they have on the communities in which they operate and the remaining employees.

"With regard to our Tubes business, the plans we are proposing today will create a viable business capable of being competitive both today and in the future. The changes are necessary to reduce costs and make the business more efficient in an increasingly competitive market."

Consultation with employee representatives will begin at the affected sites.