Former Labour MP Ian Austin has welcomed his new appointment as trade envoy to Israel as an opportunity to bring jobs and investment to businesses across the UK.

The Dudley North MP, who now sits as an independent, was handed the new role by Prime Minister Theresa May this week.

The unpaid role will see the parliamentarian build on Israel and the UK's multi-billion pound annual trade.

Mr Austin told the JC: "Trade with Israel is worth billions to Britain, it has resulted in investment and jobs in businesses across the UK, including here in the Black Country and in Dudley too.”

"I’m looking forward to working with the Department for Trade and the brilliant team at our embassy in Israel who are working so hard to help British companies win business in Israel and strengthen the trading relationship between the two countries.”

Trading relations between the two countries are expected to become even more crucial after Brexit. 

Along with Mr Austin's appointment, Lord Risby has been named as a trade envoy to Lebanon. 

It takes the total number of trade envoys to 27 parliamentarians, covering 58 global markets. 

International Trade Secretary Liam Fox, said: “The Prime Minister’s trade envoy programme is an unpaid and voluntary cross-party network, who support the UK’s ambitious trade and investment agenda in global markets.”

Mr Austin quit Labour in February citing the “culture of extremism, antisemitism and intolerance”.