A WHOPPING 385,500 manufacturing jobs have been lost since 2007, new figures revealed yesterday.

Research by general union GMB reveals the massive slide as the “balance of payments” deficit between imports and exports has exploded — from 3.6 per cent of GDP in 2008 to over 5 per cent in 2015.

Every British region has seen a decline in manufacturing employment, the figures show.

North-west England was the worst hit, losing 85,000 people from the industry. London, which is not traditionally seen as a manufacturing stronghold, lost 54,000.

GMB national secretary for manufacturing Jude Brimble said: “It is a fundamental truth that the recovery in the UK cannot be put on a sound footing until the government puts in place a strategy to close the balance of payments deficit which last year was over 5 per cent of GDP.

“Closing this deficit is ultimately more important than dealing with the public-sector deficit. Tories from the south of England have to be made to face this reality.”

And she urged the government to get a grip on the mounting loss of jobs in the steel sector since last autumn.

“We can’t have any more foot dragging on saving the steel industry,” she said.

“We cannot accept any more public procurement of ships for the Royal Navy or trains for our railways from overseas.

“We need a British based supply chain for the renewables and nuclear energy sectors.”