EU referendum: Brexit could put 250,000 West Midlands jobs at risk, warns Cameron

Mr Cameron has called on voters across the region to vote 'remain' to preserve local jobs as the EU referendum campaign enters its final 100 days.

His comments come after an Express & Star survey on the referendum saw 80 per cent of readers say they planned to vote in favour of Brexit.

The Prime Minister said: "With its world class motor industry and much else besides, it's clear that the West Midlands is stronger, safer and better off as part of a reformed European Union.

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"Some 250,000 jobs are linked to trade with the EU here and I do not want to see a single one of those put at risk.

"Britain's economy benefits hugely from our membership of the free trade single market and leaving the EU would put a huge question mark over a significant amount of our trade.

"I say that it would be a leap into the dark because we just do not know what the effect on jobs would be.

"Voting to remain in the EU will guarantee us continued full access to the single market, as well as a reformed relationship with the EU which gives us the best of both worlds.

"I hope people in the West Midlands keep this in mind on June 23 and cast a vote for jobs, for further growth, and for a bright and prosperous future for our country."

HM Treasury estimates that investment into the West Midlands from the EU has created around 11,491 jobs and safeguarded 4,887 more over the last five years.

In a speech last week the Prime Minister dismissed claims by anti-EU Tories that a short, sharp economic shock if Britain voted to leave the EU would be a 'price worth paying' for gaining freedom from Brussels.

Leading Brexit advocate Boris Johnson argued that leaving the EU would cause 'an initial period of dislocation and uncertainty', but that would be followed by 'very rapid improvement'.

But in his speech Mr Cameron said: "Let's just remember what a shock really means.

"It means pressure on the pound sterling. It means jobs being lost. It means mortgage rates might rise. It means businesses closing. It means hardworking people losing their livelihoods."

Anti-EU campaigners believe that while the Prime Minister has played up the risks of leaving the EU there are also risks attached to remaining in a Europe where Brussels has taken on more powers.

Meanwhile electoral guru Sir Lynton Crosby warned that so-called 'Project Fear' may not work for the 'remain' campaign because the public sees risks in staying in the EU as well as quitting. He predicted that the result was likely to hinge on which side could motivate supporters to come out and vote on June 23.