MINISTERS must stand up for British manufacturing after Brexit, general union GMB demanded yesterday.

The union’s call came as figures revealed that the manufacturing sector pumps almost twice as much into the economy (£108 billion) in wages as the financial services sector (£63bn).

But analysis by the union showed that 619,000 jobs in the sector disappeared between 2006 and 2016, a fall of 17 per cent.

In the west Midlands, the historical home of Britain’s automotive sector, almost 100,000 manufacturing jobs have been lost.

There were 2.6 million British workers employed in manufacturing last year — compared to one million in financial services — but GMB general secretary Tim Roache said the government’s Brexit narrative had “overwhelmingly” focused on the financial sector.

“These figures show how absolutely crucial UK manufacturing is. It’s jobs and livelihoods — but it’s also a real money-spinner for the economy,” Mr Roache said.

“The government talks about the City of London. Well, manufacturing contributes twice as much to the economy in wages.

“Whoever forms the next government needs to act straight away not just to protect our 2.6 million manufacturing workers but to create new skilled jobs in the sector and its supply chains. That’s the sort of Brexit working people need.”

Over 10 years the proportion of British jobs made up by manufacturing has slumped from 12 per cent to just nine per cent.

The union said the loss of jobs meant that £11.3bn less has been paid in manufacturing wages in real terms.

GMB national secretary for manufacturing Jude Brimble said: “Manufacturing wages are 20 per cent higher than the national average and the sector is a keystone of the wider economy. These are jobs worth fighting for.

“Whoever wins the next election must develop a procurement strategy supporting UK industry, build strong British supply chains and a balanced energy policy to keep our country’s lights on.

“If this sad decline is not addressed, then post-Brexit Britain and the next generation will surely pay the price,” she said.