POLITICIANS and union leaders have spoken of their 'profound' concern for hundreds of Scottish jobs after the steel giant Tata announced plans to sell off its facilities.

MPs and workers' representatives said that they were had been taken by surprise the firm's decision to offload a division which employs 330 at sites in Lanarkshire and thousands more across the UK.

They called on the company to offer safeguards on the future of Scotland's steel industry after it signed a Memorandum of Understanding to sell its Long Products arm to a Swiss-based global commodities firm Klesch Group

Staff working at sites in Dalzell in Motherwell, and Clydebridge, Cambuslang, South Lanarkshire, an engineering workshop in Workington, Cumbria, a rail consultancy in York, along with other operations in France and Germany are affected.

About 6,500 people are employed at Long Products Europe and its distribution facilities, supplying products for industries including construction and excavation.

Frank Roy, Labour MP for Motherwell and Wishaw, said that both the UK and Scottish Governments should intervene, adding: "Today's announcement is a major blow to those working at Dalzell and Clydebridge steelworks and the other affected sites through the UK.

"I have profound concerns about what this course of action will mean for the future of the UK steel industry, the company, both Long and Strip Products divisions, and for the lives of the workforce, their families and our communities."

Tom Greatrex, Labour MP for Rutherglen and Hamilton Westsaid: "The announcement that Tata Steel are in the process of selling their long products steel division, including Clyde Bridge in Cambuslang, is a bolt from the blue, with no consultation with unions and workers, despite the European Works Council standards Tata have signed up to.

"It is a huge concern for those employed at Clyde Bridge, their families and contractors who rely on the steelworks for their living. With a secret and sudden deal, steelworkers are understandably concerned about their jobs being at risk.

"The failure to consult beforehand has heightened fears that this move will put an historic and strategically important industry in Scotland at risk."

Unions said they were disappointed with the way the announcement had been handled and were seeking talks to discuss any impact on jobs.

Youth and Women's Employment Secretary Angela Constance said she had already held discussions with representatives of the workforce affected and with the local MSP.

Ms Constance added: "Whilst disappointed with the short notice ahead of the announcement, the Scottish Government stands ready to work with everyone and anyone with who has an interest in ensuring the safeguarding of these jobs and the steel industry remaining a vital part of our economy."

However, the firm would not provide any assurances about the outcome of the deal.

Karl Koehler, chief executive of Tata Steel's European operations, said: "We will now move into detailed due diligence and negotiations. We will regularly engage with our employees and other stakeholders throughout this process, and we will consult with the trade union representatives and works councils.

"We are making huge strides on our strategic journey to become a premium, customer-centred steel company thanks to investment in equipment, technology and customers, together with the substantial contributions from our employees.

"We want to build a sustainable business in the UK and further develop our mainland Europe business and we are committed to providing the necessary leadership and financial resources to achieve that."