To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the effect on the economy of (a) Birmingham and (b) the West Midlands of the inclusion of the UK in the EU single market. (325247)

I have been asked to reply.

No estimate has been made in relation specifically to Birmingham or the West Midlands.

The benefit of free trade across the EU is estimated to boost GDP by over 2 per cent. For the UK that equates to benefits of around £25-£30 billion a year.