The security of pensions for staff at Tata Steel in Workington has been raised in Parliament.

Workington MP Sue Hayman yesterday called for assurances that current steelworkers’ pensions would be safe.

Her question, to business secretary Sajid Javid, came as the Government holds talks about possible changes to a £15bn pension scheme.

Mrs Hayman said: “The Tata Steel products plant in Workington in my constituency is part of the sale deal with Greybull, and I’d like to thank the Minister for Business for the meetings she’d had and the discussions we’ve had to secure that site.

“But they’re very concerned about their pensions.

“Some of these workers have been there for over 40 years and are clearly distressed and worried.

“These have been loyal employees – they’ve given their working life to the plant.

“Could the minister assure me that he understands just how worried they are and give them assurances that they will get their full pensions?”

Mrs Hayman said staff were concerned they may be forced to work longer before drawing their pension or receive reduced payouts from their pension funds.

The Government is consulting on possible changes to the British Steel Pension Scheme following talks with Tata Steel, pension trustees and regulators.

The consultation is the first step towards modifying benefits to enable the scheme to be self sustaining and stay outside the Pension Protection Fund.

Allan Johnston, chairman of the trustee board, said: “The trustee board believes that, with government support, it should be possible to modify benefits so as to allow the scheme to remain outside the Pension Protection Fund indefinitely and on a low-risk basis.

“Although this would entail future pension increases being cut back from their current levels, benefits would be more generous than those provided by the PPF for the vast majority of scheme members.

“The primary focus of the trustee board is to secure the best outcome for scheme members.”

A Tata spokesman said: “In common with large defined benefit or final salary pension schemes generally, the scheme is very sensitive to changes in market conditions.

“The British Steel Pension Scheme is now also considerably larger than its sponsoring business, Tata Steel UK, exposing both the scheme and business to risk.”

Tata Steel said the talks over the pension scheme would have no impact on the planned sale of the Long Products Europe division, which includes its Workington operation, to Greybull Capital.

Mr Javid has offered to meet with Mrs Hayman to discuss the issue. A date is being arranged.