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Theresa May told 'Don't put economy on back burner' during Brexit meeting in Wolverhampton

Theresa May has been accused of putting Britain's economy and the prosperity of its people 'on the back burner' in her blueprint for Brexit.

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Pat McFadden said there are big question marks over the impact of the Prime Minister's Brexit plan, which includes leaving the single market and thrashing out a new customs agreement with the EU.

The Wolverhampton South East MP was part of the Brexit Select Committee that met at the University of Wolverhampton.

He said it was 'too early to say' whether Mrs May's Brexit plan could be looked upon in a positive light.

"In some respects it is good that the Prime Minister has set out some sort of plan," he said. "But the big question in my mind is what the economic impact will be.

"My fear is that we have seen a big change in Government policy that means that economic considerations and the prosperity of people are now no longer the top considerations.

"They are effectively on the back burner.

"Theresa May is being driven by the politics of what she thinks has to be delivered for Brexit.

"I want to see what happens in the negotiations, and in particular what happens over some of the concerns we have heard here in Wolverhampton, particularly on market access and exports for local manufacturing companies."

During its visit to Wolverhampton the cross-party committee chaired meetings with UK and international students, and staff members with expertise in areas including research, business engagement and student recruitment.

MPs were also given a tour of the city by senior leaders from the university, representatives from the City of Wolverhampton Council and the Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership.

They also held discussions with the Black Country Chamber of Commerce and local business leaders.

The committee, which also includes Wolverhampton North East MP Emma Reynolds and Stafford MP Jeremy Lefroy, has a remit to oversee the process of Britain leaving the EU.

Committee chair Hilary Benn, said: "We have been very keen to get out around the country and get a feel for people's views on Brexit. Visits such as this help us to inform our thinking. One of the messages that came across very clearly is that people don't want to see a return to tariffs. We have met a lot of manufacturing businesses and they don't want barriers to trade. That's not being negative, it is just saying that out of this negotiation we don't want to see a return to that.

"But we have also talked about the opportunities that can be seized from the UK leaving the EU.

"Whether people were Leavers or Remainers is not the point anymore. We're leaving the EU and our job collectively is to get the best possible deal for Wolverhampton, and also for the whole country."

Mr Benn said there was now 'greater clarity' over the Government's Brexit plans following the Prime Minister's speech earlier this week, but said 'the critical issues' were still to be decided.

"The big question is, what will the remaining 27 countries be prepared to agree to when the negotiations begin," he said.

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