Question to the Department for International Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what steps his Department is taking to increase the level of foreign direct investment into the East Midlands.

In 2016 the Department for International Trade (DIT) established a dedicated taskforce to deliver bespoke activity to attract foreign direct investment into the Midlands Engine, including the East Midlands. This activity includes: full profiling of the key sectors and showcasing these at events overseas; working with DIT’s overseas network and local partners across the region to deliver tailored support to promote individual areas as a destination for investment; international promotion of a portfolio of Midlands capital investment opportunities, including 10 projects from the East Midlands; and provision of funding for local partners to collaborate and amplify investment messaging, such as attendance at the MIPIM property show in Cannes.

There were 72 investment projects that landed in the East Midlands in tax year 2017-2018. There were 3714 associated new jobs. This is the highest number of new jobs from foreign direct investment in the East Midlands for 3 years.