Seema Malhotra MP, Labour’s Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury, responding to the publication of the latest Index of Production by the Office for National Statistics, said:

“It is deeply worrying that the manufacturing sector is smaller than it was a year ago. Coupled with the disappointing trade figures this week this should be a wake-up call for George Osborne as to the urgent need to rebalance our economy if he is to make good on his commitment to deliver a ‘march of the makers’.

“It is becoming increasingly clear that George Osborne’s short-term political fixes are beginning to catch up with him and the UK economy. What we need now is urgent action to deal with the big challenges facing our economy and  provide the skills, R&D and infrastructure that manufacturing companies need.”