Google is going ahead with plans to invest some £1bn in a major new London HQ in a move which cements the US firm's presence in the UK, despite the uncertainty caused by Trump's election victory and Britain's decision to leave the EU.

The company will create up to 3,000 jobs - bringing its total UK workforce from 4,000 to 7,000.

The office is to be located next to its existing office at King’s Cross in central-London.

Google boss Sundar Pichai /PA

Google chief executive Sundar Pichai told the BBC that the project will be completed by 2020.

"The innovation we see here, the talent we have available here and now on the cutting edge of technology we are able to be here makes it an incredible place for us to invest.

"We see big opportunities here. This is a big commitment from us - we have some of the best talent in the world in the UK and to be able to build great products from here sets us up well for the long term," he told the broadcaster.

However Mr Pichai warned that the free movement of employees is important to the firm's future plans:

"We do value how open and connected it is and we can bring in talent from anywhere in the world and we value those attributes and we are optimistic that those will stay true over time."

British Chancellor of the Exchequer, Philip Hammond said that this move represents a "big vote of confidence" in the UK.

"Our technology industry is central to securing future economic growth and this government is committed to ensuring it continues to thrive. It’s further proof that Britain is open for business and that we continue to be an outward looking, world-leading nation," he commented.