Data released at the end of last month by the Office for National Statistics shows that the economy of the Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership area grew by 4.5% in 2013, compared with the national average of 3.3%.

The Black Country was the second fastest-growing LEP area in the UK, its performance only marginally behind that of Greater Manchester. The figures show that the economic output of the Black Country LEP area in 2013 was £19.5 billion.

Black Country LEP chairman Stewart Towe said: “These figures showing that the Black Country is the second-highest-performing of the 39 LEP areas are evidence of the continuing strong transformation of our local economy.

“The Black Country LEP and its partners will continue to boost business growth and build on our unique position as the UK’s manufacturing heart to ensure that high-quality products are made in the Black Country and sold around the world.”