The Prime Minister visited McLaren’s Surrey headquarters today as the supercar manufacturer unveiled a £500 million investment programme expected to create 1,000 jobs.

Andy Burnham toured the McLaren Technology Centre in Woking on Wednesday (September 16) as the company announced plans to expand its UK manufacturing, engineering and development operations.

Speaking to the Woking News & Mail during the visit, Mr Burnham welcomed the investment, saying it was part of “reindustrialising” the UK and bringing “world-class manufacturing jobs to our communities”.

He said: “It’s really important we see this investment here in Woking.

“We’re really grateful to McLaren for their vote of confidence in British industry and manufacturing.

“The jobs here are the best, highly sought-after jobs.”

The £500m programme will include an expansion of the McLaren Production Centre in Woking and a new vehicle assembly facility elsewhere in the UK.

McLaren will also design and build its future powertrains in-house for the first time, starting with two new engines and transmissions.

The company has also confirmed plans to enter a new market with the launch of a performance SUV as part of its next generation of vehicles.

McLaren said the programme would create at least 1,000 direct and indirect jobs across its UK operations by 2032, while its manufacturing workforce is set to double.

Up to another 3,000 jobs are expected to be created across the wider automotive supply chain.

The investment forms part of a wider commitment from McLaren shareholder L’IMAD, a sovereign investor of the Government of Abu Dhabi.

McLaren Automotive chief executive Nick Collins said: “This investment gives us the platform to grow, develop and build on what makes us distinctive, while investing in the people, technologies and products that will keep us competitive for decades to come.”

More to follow.