"The steel industry is vital to the UK," May said in a statement.

Tata Steel has paused the sale of its Port Talbot plant in southern Wales, partly due to Brexit uncertainty.

The company put its British operations up for sale in March, including the Port Talbot plant, threatening thousands of jobs.

"My government is committed to helping the steel industry secure a long-term, viable future in Wales," said May, ahead of her visit to Wales, only her second trip since becoming prime minister having visited Scotland last week.

(Reporting by Costas Pitas; editing by Jason Neely)