'Offshoring' advice upsets firms

Six businesses have already signed up for the event

A group intended to promote business in the West Midlands is offering advice to firms on how to move abroad.

Birmingham Chamber of Commerce has written to businesses inviting them to "explore the benefits" of transferring work out of the UK by "offshoring".

Owners of some Birmingham businesses have condemned the move, saying they feel betrayed.

However, chamber of commerce leaders said it was important firms looked to expand in this way.

The organisation has organised a meeting in January for companies that want to "explore how offshoring can benefit their business".

The chamber of commerce said that six businesses had already signed up for the event.

'Absolutely appalled'

The letter says: "The global economy offers significant opportunities to increase the competitiveness of your business.

"Offshoring - relocating all or part of your business processes overseas - is now a realistic option for more and more companies, whether large or small, manufacturer or service sector.

"Offshoring can help your firm become significantly leaner and more competitive."

Russell Luckock, chairman of engineering firm A E Harris and Co, said he was "absolutely appalled" by the letter.

"This letter is trying to kill off British skills and manufacturing and this is the last thing we want," said Mr Luckock.

Jerry Blackett, chief executive of the chamber of commerce, said: "For our businesses to prosper in a world economy they need to compete with the best.

"If that means we should create some production abroad, then brilliant, we should do that."