Foundation industries 'responsible for 30% of UK export'

Karl Koehler, European chief executive of Tata Steel, has told the Today programme's Simon Jack that foundation industries "need a voice".

He called for the UK government to pay more attention to their economic contribution, given that they are "directly responsible for 30% of Great Britain's export".

Mr Koehler also noted that foundation industries - those which serve the supply chains to the automotive, aerospace, energy and construction industries rather than sell a finished article - are "supplying jobs" in areas of the UK where they are scarce.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4's Today programme on Thursday 16 January 2014.