MEMBERS of campaign group 38 Degrees descended on Stourbridge as part of a national day of action to highlight concerns about what they have branded a 'secret trade deal'.

Campaigners from citizen democracy movement 38 Degrees Stourbridge were out in the High Street talking to members of the public about the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Pact (TTIP), a deal between the EU and US, which they say "will impose unprecedented corporate power over the UK's economy and way of life".

The campaigners were among 38 Degrees supporters nationwide who organised pop-up events in towns and cities on Saturday (August 22) to highlight what they say is an "outrageous' EU trade deal that is being forced through by Brussels bureaucrats".

They fear the deal could open up UK NHS services to takeover bids from American private healthcare providers and sweep away UK safeguards on issues such as pollution, food safety and other public services.

Amy Lockwood, 38 Degrees campaigner, said: "People in Stourbridge have a right to know this deal is being hashed out behind their backs. From the NHS, to schools, to the food on our tables, the TTIP could tear up the public services and protections that people fought hard for."

Stourbridge 38 Degrees campaigner Ken Band added: "Even our elected representatives in the European Parliament who oppose the deal are being kept in the dark about this. Many people want it forced it out into the open for proper scrutiny before the rule of democracy is taken over by corporate lawyers."

West Midlands MEP James Carver has previously voiced his opposition to the partnership, describing it as a "blow for all those interested in protection of the NHS, in consumer rights and a legal system fair to small businesses".

He said he had received more emails from constituents concerned about the TTIP than any other issue and added: "The EU should not manipulate the UK's trade nor that of any other member state in order to promote the political pretensions of this power-grabbing monolith.

"UKIP put forward amendments which required the commission 'to exclude specifically our British National Health Service from TTIP in its entirety' but unfortunately it was defeated."

Stourbridge MP Margot James, however, said campaigners against the TTIP "ignore the upside completely".

She said: "We have lost sight of the fact that it will increase trade hugely and make things very much easier to do business with American companies. We won’t face that huge duty when we import. That will change if this deal goes well.

"Standards of living are important and if we can allow people to have a good choice of goods at low prices we should work towards that deal.”

She added: "The main complaint by 38 Degrees is that big companies will be able to sue the Government – it’s just not true.

"The commissioner in charge of the negotiation has been given an undertaking in writing that public services in the EU will not be vulnerable to lawsuits from companies seeking to subvert the system for their own ends.

"I think the EU could open up a lot more about it but I do appreciate they’re negotiating in a very detailed way. All member states have the right to object as the process unfolds."

The MP continued: "I’m not concerned about the NHS or public services. I accept the assurances we have been given. The one area I would be concerned with is food, as the US has very different standards.

"We need to put pressure, through our MEPs, to make sure during negotiations that we do not accept US standards on the food sector."

Members of 38 Degrees say they collected scores of signatures on petitions on Saturday and people can still voice their opposition to the TTIP online by clicking here.