Politicians from all three major parties have teamed up in a bid to bring new industries and jobs to the West Midlands.

The MPs aim to quiz employers, local authorities and chambers of commerce about what can be done to cut unemployment and help businesses succeed - and then to present their findings to the Government.

Black Country MP Ian Austin (Lab Dudley North), Solihull MP Lorely Burt (Lib Dem Solihull) and Worcestershire MP Mark Garnier (Con Wyre Forest) are leading the new All-Party Parliamentary Group.

They will hold inquiries in Westminster to gather evidence from civic and business leaders about the local economy and the needs of industry.

It follows the publication of new unemployment figures showing the West Midlands has seen the swiftest growth in unemployment in the country.

The number of people out of work rose by 48,000 in the three months to November, with 264,000 people unemployed in the region.

That gave the West Midlands an unemployment rate of 9.9 per cent. Nationally the jobless rate is 7.9 per cent.

Youth claimant count in the region remained stable with 44,800 16 to 24-year-olds claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance during the three-month period.

Mr Austin said: “The West Midlands was hit hardest by the downturn, and will take longest to recover.

“We have great strengths in our region: hard work, ingenuity, adaptability and innovation. But we face challenges when it comes to skills, transport or our ability to exploit new economic opportunities.

“We need to get Whitehall to understand the challenges we face so it’s great MPs from all parties are working together to ensure the West Midlands gets the help and support it needs.”

Ms Burt said: “In these difficult times it is very important that West Midlands MPs all work together to defend and promote the interests of our region. We have tremendous resources in our region: human, technical and physical. Together, this group will focus on all the positive things that we can achieve and I know we can tackle the challenges that our region faces.”

And Mr Garnier added: “I am honoured to be a founding co-chair of this important group. The economy of the West Midlands is fragile, but its success is important to the millions who live in the region.

“Creating a structure in which Parliament and local MPs can support our region is vital.”