THE government’s “disastrous” handling of the steel crisis underlines its failure to stand up for communities across Britain, Jeremy Corbyn will say as he launch’s Labour’s election campaign today.

Elections to the Scottish Parliament, Welsh Assembly and local councils in England on May 5 will be a key test for Mr Corbyn’s leadership.

Speaking in Harlow, Mr Corbyn will say that the elections offer a “chance to send a message to a failing Tory government by voting for a Labour Party that will stand up for you.”

On steel he will say that the government “stood by as the crisis loomed,” adding: “Communities in South Wales, Yorkshire and other places are now paying the price for that failure.”

And he will say: “Electing a Labour council is the best protection for your community against the onslaught from this Conservative government. Even in the toughest of times it is Labour councils that are making better choices.”