The UK secured 799 inward investment projects last year, and increase of 15 per cent on 12 months before and securing the country’s position as Europe’s top destination for global investment.

Professional services firm EY’s annual UK attractiveness survey revealed the European market grew by four per cent overall in 2013, with the UK attracting a fifth of the total.

Its performance saw the UK extend its lead over second-placed Germany as a Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) destination, as both countries pulled away from the remainder of Europe.

Britain jumped from eighth to fifth in the world table for FDI in the last three years, behind China, the US, India and Brazil.

Steve Varley, EY UK&I chairman and managing partner, said: “The UK’s performance was nothing short of stellar and was achieved against the backdrop of more modest increases across Europe.

“The message that the UK is open for business is being received loud and clear by international investors, but as the global economy evolves, the UK must continue to respond in order to stay ahead.”