UNION leaders reacted with anger today at news of scores of job losses at a steel plant. Community said the "desperate" state of the economy was to blame for Tata Steel closing its construction products business at the Llanwern site in Newport, South Wales with the loss of 70 jobs. Tata Steel also has a base on Deeside, which will not be affected. National officer Roy Rickhuss said: "This is another case of a good business with a loyal and efficient workforce facing closure because of the desperate state of our economy and the total absence of any plan for manufacturing. "We are seeking urgent talks with the company and will be exploring every avenue to see what options are available to sustain the business and avoid the need for compulsory redundancies." Paul Steele, Tata's managing director for distribution UK and Ireland, said: ``It is with great regret that, following a detailed review of the TSCP business, we have proposed to cease operations at construction products.