Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what progress the Government has made in securing greater inward investment to (a) England and (b) the UK. [55132]

Mark Prisk MP; Minister of State for Business and Enterprise[holding answer 12 May 2011]: In the financial year 2009/10, the UK attracted a total of 1,619 Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) projects, down by 7% on 2008/09. Within this total, 1,409 projects were in England, down by 9% on 2008/09. This performance is against the backdrop that global investment flows declined by approximately 40% in 2009/10.

Within the overall total of 1,619 FDI projects into the UK in 2009/10, UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) assisted a total of 759 projects, confirmed as locating or expanding in the UK up by 26% on 2008/09.

Within the overall UK total of 759 UKTI assisted projects in 2009/10, 701 FDI projects were confirmed as locating or expanding in England also up by 26% on 2008/09.

The Inward Investment results for the UK for the financial year 2010/11 will be announced on 12 July 2011.