Lawmakers in Russia demanded the nationalisation of an idled alumina factory in north-west Russia controlled by Oleg Deripaska, the indebted metals tycoon, on Wednesday after workers took to the streets to protest poverty and unemployment in the region.

A group of MPs submitted a bill calling for the government to take over BaselCement, an alumina plant controlled by Basic Element, Mr Deripaska’s investment company, and two other factories in Pikalyovo, a small town 270km from St Petersburg.