John McDonnell MP, Labour’s Shadow Chancellor, commenting on today’s manufacturing and trade figures, said:

“Today’s figures demonstrate the failure of the Tory Government’s industrial strategy.

“UK manufacturing output has shrunk for the second consecutive month and our trade deficit, on both goods and services, has widened for the second consecutive month, getting 2017 off to a particularly worrying start.  

“It is becoming increasingly clear that the Tory Government’s rhetoric on its industrial strategy isn’t matched by reality.

“Only Labour, with a proper industrial strategy, and a plan for a high-investment, high-skill and high-wage economy will deliver the trade and export opportunities of the future.”