Business chiefs have urged the Government to keep investing in Kent and the Home Counties as part of its new industrial strategy.

The Prime Minister launched a green paper on boosing Britain’s strengths and tackling its weaknesses at her first regional cabinet meeting in the north west on Monday.

The new industrial strategy will set out plans to drive growth across the whole country and create more high-skilled, high-paid jobs and opportunities.

Bosses repesenting the 344,500-strong business community across the South East said ministers should invest in the region as a “proven winner” in this time of economic uncertainty ahead of the Brexit negotiations.

It comes as the Government also announced a cash boost of £556 million for its so-called Northern Powerhouse alongside the green paper, on which a consultation will run until April 17.

Christian Brodie, chairman of the South East Local Enterprise Partnership, which bids for Government cash to be spent in the area, said he wanted to secure a key role for the region.

He said: “While we recognise the urgent need to improve productivity across the whole of the country we continue to argue the case that in these time of uncertainty, the Government must back the South East as a proven winner.

“This means investing in our area, where our communities share many of the issues facing the Northern Powerhouse and Midlands Engine.”

Business and Energy Secretary Greg Clark, who is MP for Tunbridge Wells, said the green paper is “an important step in building a modern, dynamic industrial strategy that will improve living standards and drive economic growth across the whole country”.

He said: “A modern British industrial strategy must: build on the UK’s strengths and extend excellence into the future; close the gap between the the UK’s most productive companies, industries, places and people and the rest; and ensure we are one of the most competitive places in the world to start and grow a business.”

Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce chief executive Jo James said the strategy must focus on tackling the shortage of skilled workers in the UK.

She said: “Business communities across the UK will be pleased to see that harnessing the potential of our cities, towns and counties lies at the heart of the government’s approach to industrial strategy.

“Given the significant skills gaps that so many firms continue to face, the industrial strategy’s strong emphasis on boosting technical and further education will be cheered by companies and business communities alike, whatever their location or sector.”