Shadow Chancellor Anneliese Dodds MP, responding to details of the ‘Project Birch’ plan, said:

“We have been calling for some time for the Government to take a more strategic approach and ensure it supports critical UK industries. That support, however, must be focused on retaining and increasing employment.

“It must also build value for our country- with companies receiving support prevented from engaging in share buy-backs and dividend payments. And it must be in line with our commitments on climate and the natural environment.

“Other countries have imposed forward-looking conditions on support, and the UK should learn from their positive example”