North West Durham Labour MP Pat Glass says:

Manufacturers are also urging the government to intervene in the Redcar steel plant.

EEF chief executive Terry Scuoler said: "This is a very sad day for the industry and of course for the communities affected by this decision. 

"In the short-term we need a clear indication from Government - as a matter of urgency - that it will honour its commitment to compensate steel and other energy-intensive industries from the cripplingly high cost of energy. 

"Government must now sit down with the steel sector and all interested parties to examine how a long-term viable and sustainable industry can be supported in the future."

Business Minister Anna Soubry says that the Redcar workforce and their families are a priority, and also expressed concern over reports that local contractors have gone unpaid.

She said: "I hope that SSI's announcement that they are mothballing the furnace gives some hope that steelmaking could be restarted on Teesside in the future."

North East Labour MEP Jude Kirton-Darling says:

Labour has accused the Government of allowing businesses to fail.

Shadow business secretary Angela Eagle said: "The latest announcement from SSI shows how critical the situation in Redcar is. 

"Unless the Government acts, 1,700 jobs will be lost. It is unacceptable that the Government is allowing strategic industries to fail. 

"This Government's ideological decision not to have an industrial strategy is putting jobs at risk."

Linda Robinson's family has been involved in steel manufacture for generations.

She says: "Every family on Teesside knows somebody in the steel industry. And we've got near 170 years of steel making. 

"We're the original northern powerhouse, forget this new title. 

"We demand that they save the steel works, forget mothballing... We deserve this."

Labour Middlesbrough MP Andy McDonald adds: 

At the Labour Party conference in Brighton, Redcar MP Anna Turley accused the steel plant's owners SSI of "driving it off a cliff".

The Teesside steelworks says it's cutting 1,700 jobs. The firm's Thai owners have blamed the problems on rising costs and a slump in demand.

The Community union is calling on Prime Minister David Cameron to deliver on his promise to help 1,700 Redcar steel workers at risk of losing their jobs.

Community general secretary Roy Rickhuss said: "The Prime Minister said his Government would do 'everything we can' to support the UK steel industry. 

"He needs to deliver on that. Now is the time to demonstrate the political will to see a vital foundation industry continue. 

"Steelworkers will not give up on their industry and their heritage. The Government must not give up on Teesside's steelworkers."

Former Shadow Business Secretary Chuka Umunna says: 

Conservative Stockton South MP and northern powerhouse minister James Wharton has tweeted his view:

The Community union has also called upon the Government to act.

General secretary Roy Rickhuss added: "We will be seeking an urgent meeting with the company to understand the detail of this announcement. 

"We will also be putting in place support for our members in the days and weeks ahead."

The GMB union is calling on the Government to act.

David Hulse, GMB national officer, said: "This is absolutely devastating news for the workers, their families and the community. 

"All that will be left operating will be the coke ovens unless the UK Government steps in even at this stage. 

"It is not too late for them to do so while the furnaces are still burning."

SSI chief operating officer Cornelius Louwrens will hold a press conference at 12:30 to explain the company's decision to mothball the Redcar steel plant with the loss of 1,700 jobs.

SSI UK business director and chief operating officer Cornelius Louwrens added: "Despite the significant progress we made in the financial performance of the business during 2014, market conditions this year have been extremely challenging and unfortunately this has led to the decision we are announcing today.

"I would like to pay tribute to and thank everyone connected with SSI UK for their great support. 

"My wish is that this facility can once again restart operations and fulfil the potential of the plant and its loyal workforce."

SSI UK business director and chief operating officer Cornelius Louwrens says: "This is an extremely sad day for all of us at SSI UK, and in particular our employees and their families. 

"Together with our parent company and the various other stakeholders, they have worked so hard in their endeavours to try and make this business successful."