Nuneaton’s MP Marcus Jones has welcomed news that the manufacturing industry is returning to growth after years of struggle, according to Ernst & Young, with demand from Asian markets fueling rapid export growth.

Ernst & Young predicts an 8.1 per cent growth for goods exports from the West Midlands between 2012 and 2017, the highest expansion rate forecast for any UK region.

The report also stated that ‘the Midlands has set the gold standard for UK goods exporters.’

Marcus also welcomed the announcement that the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership is investing £4.8m of Government grant funding to help local engineering businesses create up to 1,000 new jobs.

Commenting, Marcus said: “The positive news about the manufacturing sector is a real sign that the economy is turning a very difficult corner and marks an about turn for the Midlands manufacturing sector. The sector shrank some 23 per cent between 1997 and 2010.

“The latest figures indicate that manufacturing is growing at its fastest pace in almost 20 years, which is great news for our area which has some excellent manufacturing companies and a highly-skilled workforce. I hope that we can build on this success.  

“The Local Enterprise Partnership initiative is now also paying dividends, with £4.7m from Government being invested to help local businesses create more new jobs for our region, which will benefit local people here in Nuneaton. This is a positive sign that we are rebalancing our economic strengths outside London.

“A career in manufacturing can be extremely rewarding and I strongly believe we must do more to promote manufacturing as a very worthwhile career path for young people.”