HALESOWEN and Rowley Regis MP James Morris has told Parliament the Black Country's industrial potential has to be unlocked in Brexit Britain.

In a debate about the recent budget James Morris MP said: “The Black Country and the West Midlands are too often talked about as though they are a relic of Britain’s industrial past, but that is wrong. The Black Country is increasingly in the vanguard of our industrial future.

"It is a leading player in high-tech manufacturing and has an increasingly competitive, productive economy."

He added: "We do not need to focus on managing decline. The Black Country is not some kind of industrial museum to look back on with fondness as part of Britain’s industrial greatness.

"The area is becoming a world leader in critical parts of our economic future.”

James Morris MP said: “The people of the West Midlands delivered Brexit in large numbers, and that’s why I’m determined to ensure that our priorities are heard loud and clear, to ensure that we have a local economy that works for everyone.

"The West Midlands is home to a cross section of world leading companies in the automotive, aerospace, advanced manufacturing and construction technologies sector, and thousands of small businesses.

"I want to make sure that the Midlands is at the top of the agenda so that we can secure the much needed high-skilled and high-paid jobs which will unlock the economic potential of our growing region.”

During the budget debate MP James Morris raised the need to tackle the growing transport problems which are resulting in increased congestion times.

The budget includes £25 million to tackle congestion and improve access to major employment sites in the Black Country and the introduction of smart ticketing by 2018.