Today’s trade and manufacturing figuresdemonstrate the immense challenges facing the UK economy after years of Tory failure.

“Unfortunately, it comes off the back of the Conservative Party Conference were we heard nothing about the Tories’ plans to boost UK exports and support the UK economy.

The widening trade deficit, sluggish growth in exports and falling manufacturing output despite the weakening pound all highlight the recklessness of a Tory Government that failed to plan for a Brexit vote and which continues to have no answers to the challenges facing the UK economy.

The country deserves better; the Government has no answers and no plan for working people and for the UK economy. Only a Labour Government will stand up for working people and build a fairer economy that works for all”