Sunak’s joy as Nissan reveals £2billion investment in UK car factory to build EVs

THE PM yesterday welcomed NISSAN’S £2billion investment in an electric car factory as a “huge vote of confidence” in the Government’s economic strategy.

The Japanese car giant announced it would build new e-versions of its Qashqai and Juke cars at its Sunderland site plus a model to replace the Leaf.

It is also building a new car battery factory.

Rishi Sunak, who visited yesterday with Chancellor Jeremy Hunt, said “company after company” was committing to the UK, mentioning BMW, Stellantis and TATA.

He added: “They’re all voting with their feet. They’re putting money into the country, they’re creating jobs in the country. That’s a huge vote of confidence in this Government’s economic strategy.”

It comes just days after a report by MPs warned Britain’s entire car industry would be at risk as it was falling behind global rivals by not having battery factories.

Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders boss Mike Hawes said Nissan’s investment “underlines Britain’s position as an increasingly competitive location for electric vehicle production”.

Flack Friday

HSBC customers were hit with online problems yesterday — the year’s busiest internet shopping day.

They could not access bank accounts — making it harder to transfer payday wages or fund Black Friday shopping. Nationwide customers made five per cent more purchases yesterday than last year.

Bribe payout

THE owner of Ladbrokes and Gala bookies is paying a £585million penalty in the wake of a bribery investigation into its former Turkish business.

Entain said it had agreed with the Crown Prosecution Service to pay up, cover HMRC’s £10million costs and give £20million to charity.

Good week

SAM Altman, founder of OpenAI, who returned to lead the artificial intelligence firm five days after his dramatic ousting.

Bad week

THIERRY Garnier, boss of B&Q owner Kingfisher, which issued a second profit warning in as many months.