Midlands integral part of Government's plans

During a visit to the Black Country, Mr Jones said the Government was 'fully aware' of the need for major improvements to the region's road network, adding that key developments were in the pipeline.

He met with members of the Black Country Chamber of Commerce's Brexit Policy Group at Carvers, Wolverhampton, where his comments were welcomed by business bosses.

They urged Mr Jones to make sure the West Midlands is not left behind in Downing Street's plans post-Brexit. Mr Jones said: "It is clear that transport is a major area of concern in the West Midlands. We understand the importance of improvements and it is an issue that we will be looking at closely.

"This is particularly true for the road infrastructure, with the M6 Toll, and also upgrading routes to and from Birmingham Airport.

"The Government fully understands the need to improve infrastructure, not only here in the West Midlands but also across the country."

Mr Jones also said the Government would be announcing some major developments for the West Midlands as part of a £2 billion investment for infrastructure upgrades that was announced in the Autumn Statement.

"We have got some major pieces that we are pursuing, including HS2. There will be more projects to be announced in future following consultation with regional LEP."

The Government's Department for Exiting the European Union is currently conducting what it describes as 'a period of engagement' with 50 sectors of the British economy in preparation for Brexit.

Mr Jones stressed that the West Midlands, with a GVA (Gross Value Added) of £148 billion, was an integral part of the country's trading plan.

"It is a major part of the national economy," he said. "Therefore it is important that before we start the Brexit negotiation we fully understand the concerns, priorities and opportunities perceived by all parts of the business sector here and elsewhere in the country."

Henry Carver, a leading member of the Wolverhampton Business Forum, said he was encouraged to receive assurances that the West Midlands would not be forgotten when new infrastructure plans are put into place post-Brexit.

"We hear a lot about HS2 but many businesses want to see improvements to the region's roads," he added.

"We can't get a substantial amount of goods on a train, but the congestion is so bad that it harms business. For the West Midlands to push on there needs to be a huge targeted investment to reduce congestion on roads in the West Midlands."

Paul Forrest, director at the West Midlands Economic Forum, said: "This region has to be a priority. The West Midlands provides 40 per cent of all UK exports to China and a fifth of exports to the USA. We need our infrastructure to improve so that we can be competitive ."

Meanwhile Mr Jones said he was confident that the Government would get the best possible deal for Britain over access to the single market.

He said that once the UK leaves the EU it will become the biggest export market for the remaining 27 member states.

His view was backed by Mr Carver, who said: "I strongly believe that the countries remaining in the EU will not want trade tariffs with Britain. That would be in nobody's interests.

"Tariffs will hurt EU countries far more than they will hurt us."

The Black Country Chamber of Commerce said the meeting had ranged across infrastructure investment, post-Brexit trade agreements, the importance of international trade, foreign workers, exchange rates, food prices, funding and the skills agenda.

Corin Crane, chief executive of the Black Country Chamber, said: "Black Country businesses have a wealth of knowledge and expertise that will be a vital component of successful Brexit negotiations, that's why this relationship with the minister is so important in making sure we get the best deal possible for UK Industry. The Chamber will continue to lobby decision makers at every opportunity to make this happen, and we look forward to this being the start of a positive and fruitful collaboration."