BMW share £250 million with Midlands plant

BMW will invest £250 million in its three Mini factories in the UK.

The Hams Hall site near Birmingham will benefit from the boost.

Today's news follows an investment of £500 million, and means additional job security for the 5,500 UK Mini workers, said BMW.

Business Secretary Vince Cable said: "BMW's ambitious plans for Mini will ensure its UK sites at Oxford, Swindon and Hams Hall remain at the centre of Mini production worldwide. The investment of £250 million in addition to the £500 million last year demonstrates BMW's commitment to the UK and safeguards jobs for the future."

Unite assistant general secretary Tony Burke said: "This major boost in investment is tribute and reward for the dedicated and hard-working workforce at Oxford, Swindon and Hams Hall.

"The British car industry is once again a ray of sunshine in gloomy times for British manufacturing.

"The UK has the potential to be a manufacturing success story if we had a government which was prepared to roll its sleeves up and intervene to support employers up and down the UK."