Chancellor George Osborne pledges to help Goodyear staff

Mr Osborne said he was 'all ears' to hear what ideas business leaders, politicians and workers had to help workers at the iconic Wolverhampton factory.

He told the Express & Star: "I was very saddened to hear the news. Goodyear is an iconic brand in Wolverhampton and while it is true that thousands of jobs are being created, that will be of little comfort to those at the moment who face losing their jobs.

"If the worst comes and they do lose their jobs then we will work extremely hard to do everything we can for those affected through Job Centre Plus and other channels."

Wolverhampton North East MP Emma Reynolds wrote to the Chancellor after the American tyre giant revealed it was closing its factory in the city after 90 years.

Mr Osborne added: "What I said to Emma is that I am keen to hear any ideas or thoughts the community or businesses have.

"It is a tough situation but I am all ears."

The Chancellor, who was visiting the Black Country as part of his post-budget national tour, said it was good for the West Midlands economy that council leaders were forming a new 'combined authority' comprising Wolverhampton, Dudley, Walsall, Sandwell, Birmingham, Coventry and Solihull.

But he said only those areas who choose an elected 'metro mayor' would get the full extent of devolved powers.

He said: "The Midlands is a real engine of growth and I am absolutely determined that it continues to grow its economy.

"The budget had a number of policies that will support the Midlands.

"One of those is the Annual Investment Allowance which allows small and medium sized companies to claim tax relief on equipment and machinery.

"During the election campaign I visited Westley Plastics in Cradley Heath and it was clear how this created growth and jobs.

"So in the budget we made the allowance permanent.

"With the combined authorities we want to make sure parts of the country have the say on areas such as health care and transport and I have been urging areas to come together in combined areas and take the next step to have an elected mayor.

"I am glad that leaders in Birmingham and the Black Country have started those decisions and I came up here days after the election to start that conversation.

"I am not imposing a mayor on anyone. It is up to local people and their elected councillors to decide. But I am excited about the potential in the Midlands and the West Midlands."

However, an Express & Star survey found 60 per cent of readers were against the idea of the combined authority, which some business leaders want to see called Greater Birmingham.

West Midlands UKIP MEP Bill Etheridge, said: "Its findings reveal the vast majority of participating readers do not want a combined authority.

"Around 60 per cent are against a combined authority and a massive number of respondents expressed their pride in living in the Black Country.

"It is time for politicians from Labour and the Conservatives to wake up and listen to the people."