HALESOWEN and Rowley Regis MP James Morris has welcomed the Government opening the door for the Black Country to get more powers to create jobs.

This week Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg announced the Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership City Deal application had made it through the latest round of negotiations.

Mr Morris said: “This is great news for jobs in Halesowen and Rowley Regis.”

“The City Deal would give the Black Country the powers and resources we need to bridge the skills gap and boost local manufacturing.”

Sandwell, Dudley, Wolverhampton and Walsall councils will work with the Local Enterprise Partnership to increase investment into the manufacturing sector of the Black Country.

The aim eventually is to create nearly 100,000 jobs to help boost the economy of the Black Country.

Mr Morris added: “The British economy has relied far too heavily and for far too long on the City of London, instead of harnessing the full potential of the whole country.

“I look forward to working with the Local Enterprise Partnership in the next stage of negotiations, to make sure we get the deal we need to redress that balance and develop our local economy.”

Announcing the successful Black Country City Deal Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said: “The Black Country will be free from Whitehall control and have the tools to power growth.

“These deals help cities and their wider areas make once in a generation changes that will be felt by everyone across their region.”

He added: “Rather than let our industries and communities wither, we need to free up cities outside of London that have their own unique selling points.”

The Black Country LEP will now enter into further negotiations with the Government over details of the City Deal.