Business Secretary Sajid Javid has arrived in Port Talbot to meet workers - as a Sky Data poll suggests two-thirds of people back nationalising the UK's steel industry.
Mr Javid's visit comes amid intense criticism of the Government's response to a decision by Indian conglomerate Tata Steel to sell its UK assets, putting as many as 40,000 British jobs at risk.
Ministers have been accused of prioritising trade links with China over support for the steel industry - amid claims the UK has blocked European Union moves to impose tougher tariffs on cheap imported Chinese steel.
A Sky Data poll carried out today suggests 66% of people would support nationalisation - a measure David Cameron has said is "not the right answer" - with 34% against.
Former deputy prime minister Nick Clegg claimed Chancellor George Osborne had "put his special relationship with China above the UK's best interests".
Meanwhile Axel Eggert, head of the European Steel Association, which represents every steelmaker on the continent, said Britain was the "ringleader" of a group of countries blocking attempts to prevent Chinese steel dumping.
Speaking in Manchester, Mr Osborne said the Government was "leading the way in convening meetings of ministers to deal with the steel situation" and working "to make sure there are tariffs on unfairly cheap steel".
He said "everything that is practicable and possible" was being done to help steelworkers and their families in the UK.
The Government faced further embarrassment as reports emerged that Tata Steel is in talks over the possible purchase of parts or all of German heavy industry giant ThyssenKrup's European steel operations.
Mr Javid has also faced calls to step down after it emerged he took his daughter on an official visit to Australia - which he was forced to cut short - while the crisis was playing out in Mumbai.
He will meet workers and management at Port Talbot - insisting the Government is "on their side" - as well as members of the Welsh Government and trade unions.
"I'm going to Port Talbot to meet staff and management, who are understandably extremely anxious about their future," Mr Javid said ahead of the meeting.
"I will listen to them, and I want to reassure them myself that the Government is on their side in working hard to achieve a long-term solution for them, for the region and for the wider UK steel industry.
"Whilst we can't change the status of the global steel market, we can and are playing a positive role in securing a sustainable future."
Mr Javid will promise to deliver a cross-Whitehall response to the crisis, working with Treasury minister Lord O'Neill, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Oliver Letwin and Welsh Secretary Alun Cairns to find a buyer for Tata Steel's assets.
But trade union Community said steelworkers will be "shocked" at the length of time it has taken the Government to respond to Tata Steel's decision.
A spokesman for the union said: "Steelworkers across the country will be shocked that it has taken this long for the Government to finally wake up to the crisis facing our steel industry.
"Community, the steelworkers' union, has always been keen to work constructively with government, but Sajid Javid cannot simply arrive at Port Talbot and read out his list of 'achievements' - this week's news is proof that Government action thus far has been woefully inadequate.
"The Government must commit to safeguarding the skills and assets of Britain’s steel industry. The UK simply cannot afford to lose our steelmaking capacity."
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