The Business Secretary has refused to rule out nationalising Tata Steel plants as the Government struggles to deal with the possible collapse of the entire British steel industry.
Sajid Javid said that while nationalisation was not the preferred option, "nothing" had been ruled out.
It will raise hopes at Port Talbot and elsewhere that the Government may be prepared to step in.
Speaking on the BBC's Andrew Marr Show, Mr Javid said: "I don't think nationalisation is a solution to this. Having said that, I also think it wouldn't be prudent to rule anything out at this stage, but I think that nationalisation is rarely an answer in these situations.
"I do feel, though, for lots of reasons after talking to Tata and many others involved in this, that there will be enough time to find the right buyer working with the Government and being able to take this forward.
"We will look at everything we can do to allow a sale going ahead and I wouldn't rule anything out at this stage."
The Conservative cabinet minister reiterated that the Government's aim was to find a buyer as soon as possible for Tata's UK business.
But he revealed Tata had accepted finalising any deal could be a lengthy process, potentially giving the Government more time.
"They know it is not just a matter of weeks. When they talk about weeks, that's the period you would take to get so-called expressions of interest. Then it will take much longer than that to work out a deal," Mr Javid said.
He added: "I want to see steel making continuing in Port Talbot, I want to protect as many jobs as possible, I want to find a buyer for the whole of the business.
"Tata will issue an offer document very soon. Alongside that, the UK Government know - I've known for a while - that we're also going to have to offer support to clinch that buyer and give that steel plant a long-term, viable future."
Shadow business secretary Angela Eagle has said it is crucial for the Government to protect the assets of the UK's steel industry in the event a viable buyer is not found.
She told Sky's Murnaghan programme: "Look what they did in Redcar. They sat on their hands they destroyed one of the most modern blast furnaces in Europe and the coke ovens went with it.
"We must not make same mistake with steel industry."
Mr Javid also defended travelling to Australia, instead of being in Mumbai where Tata made the decision.
He argued while he had learned weeks ago the plant in Port Talbot could face closure, he did not expect the announcement it would be sold.
Upon hearing on Tuesday that Tata was selling his British operations, Mr Javid said he immediately made the decision to return to the UK and visit steelworkers in Port Talbot.
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