One of the great things about representing Wolverhampton South East is the stories of all the small and medium sized businesses located here in the Black Country.

In a constituency with lots of industrial estates, each building within them represents a story of a great idea which someone had which was built into something real and which now makes great products or services and employs people. I love to visit them and hear their stories, which I often do.

Today, my good friend and colleague Ian Austin MP hosted a ‘Made in the Black Country’ event in Parliament to showcase some of the innovative and amazing things made here in the Black Country.

I met with businesses who make everything from air guard filters (cleanable air filters used for power generation and industry) to trauma response equipment used in emergencies.

Of course, many of the big names in manufacturing which used to employ thousands have long gone. But it would be a mistake to assume that we don’t make anything anymore. There are lots of small manufacturing businesses making great products in the Black Country -; and they are absolutely vital to the local economy.

Congratulations to all of the innovative businesses making a real difference here in the Black Country.