Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what recent steps his Department has taken to encourage global business to invest in the UK. [71108]

Mark Prisk MP; Minister of State (Business and Enterprise) [holding answer 9 September 2011]: Recent steps to ensure the UK retains a strong flow of high value investment projects include:

the introduction of a more integrated national business model to support inward investment, offering tailored support and a single point of contact for overseas businesses;

investing heavily in the Research and Development base, despite public spending constraints;

adopting a genuinely cross-Government approach to our strategic relationship management of key global investors;

ensuring that the UK's tax regime and planning regulations build investor confidence;

ensuring our regulatory system is proportionate and encourages growth; and

encouraging specific infrastructure investment.