5,000 new jobs in UK

in production for nearly 20 years. It is clear we enter our negotiations to leave the EU from a position of economic strength.”

A £344million expansion programme at London City Airport was also given the green light.

It will provide a £1.5billion boost to the British economy by 2025.

Meanwhile drugs giant glaxosmithkline brushed aside Brexit jitters, announcing it is pumping £275m into its three UK manufacturing sites.

The UK economy enjoyed its strongest performance of industrial production since 1999.

Office for National Statistics chief economist Joe Grice said: “Continued strong growth across services, particularly in retailing, reinforced by healthy growth in the manufacture of cars and pharmaceuticals, boosted output in the second quarter.”

Car production has surged ahead, increasing by 10% over last year.

Housebuilder Taylor Wimpey said is was business as usual and boasted pre-tax profits up 12% to £266.6m.

Energy giant EDF is also set to make its long-awaited final decision today on the planned nuclear power station at Hinkley Point, on the coast of Somerset.

The French firm is expected to give the go-ahead for the £18bn project.

Unions say workers are “raring to go” with 25,000 jobs set to be created.