Paul Blomfield MP, Labour’s Shadow Brexit Minister, commenting on the leaked Government report dividing British industries into high, medium and low priority in the Brexit negotiations, said:

“Hard working people, the back bone of our manufacturing sector, will be the losers in this Tory harsh Brexit.

“Pharmaceuticals is ranked as ‘high priority’ yet the Health Secretary has confirmed we will likely pull out of the European Medicines Agency, threatening access to drugs for patients and thousands of jobs.

“Steel construction is ranked as ‘low priority’ – a shocking indictment of a Government that claims to understand the importance of manufacturing.

“The Government must urgently explain this ranking and confirm that jobs, livelihoods, and speedy access to new drugs will be at the centre of its Brexit plans.”