Strong inward investment into the UK economy created or secured more than 112,000 jobs in 2011/12, a rise of 19 per cent on the preceding year, new figures in the showed today.

The figures announced by Business Secretary Vince Cable indicate that companies investing in the UK are continuing to succeed, laying the foundations for growth across the country. Inward investment created 52,741 new jobs, a 26% increase on 2010/11, and secured 59,918 existing jobs, an increase of 14%.

The UK continues to attract more foreign direct investment (FDI) than any other European country, generating more than a thousand new jobs each week.

Jobs have increased across a range of sectors, including advanced engineering, life sciences, environmental technologies and the creative industries. A 22 per cent rise in manufacturing projects shows the crucial role of inward investment in helping rebalance the economy.

Element Six, the world leader in synthetic diamond supermaterials, who earlier this year identified Harwell Oxford as the site for its Global Innovation centre, is featured in the report. The facility, set to open in spring 2013, will develop a pipeline of innovative products for customers in industries from oil and gas drilling to machining and electronics.

Steve Coe, Group Innovation Director, said:

“After receiving support from UK Trade & Investment, Harwell Oxford was chosen for its world-renowned reputation, high-tech talent pool and excellent global connectivity.

The £20 million facility will reinforce Element Six’s position as the global leader in synthetic diamond research and will employ more than 100 top engineers, scientists and technicians.”

The development aligns with the Government’s desire to foster investment in R&D andadvanced manufacturing, which is one of Oxfordshire’s key strengths.

Download the full report here: UKTI Inward Investment Report 2011/12 (pdf format, 1.1MB).