Britain has benefitted from record-breaking inward investment by foreign companies, creating 5,507 new jobs in the South East according to the figures released on 30 August 2016, by the Department for International Trade .

In the last financial year almost 1,600 new jobs were created every week by foreign direct investment – nearly 390,000 new jobs since 2010.  Across the country, 2,213 projects were secured with around 116,000 jobs created or safeguarded as a result of inward investment, the second highest total on record. 

These figures are the latest confirmation that the UK ranks highest in Europe for foreign direct investment.  

Maria said: ‘These record-breaking figures show that the South East is open for business . Since 2010, we have seen almost a million new businesses across the UK and record-high employment proving that the whole country, including Basingstoke, is an attractive place for overseas investors to do business.

‘These results show we are in a position of strength as we begin to forge a new role for ourselves in the world – negotiating our own trade agreements so that we can build a country that works for everyone no matter where you live.’