Ministers have announced the creation of 11 new enterprise zones, promising they will boost local economies and create thousands of new jobs by 2015.
The second wave of zones, which includes sites in Kent, Humberside and East Anglia, follows the 11 announced at the time of the March Budget.
The government said it had been so impressed with the quality of bids from Local Enterprise Partnerships it had decided to increase the number of second-wave zones from 10 to 11.
The zones will encourage start-up businesses with the promise of superfast broadband connections, simplified planning rules and tax breaks.
All business rate growth in the zones will be retained and shared between councils in the host Local Enterprise Partnership for at least 25 years.
Those approved today have a focus on, among other things, research and development, green technology, biotechnology and pharmaceuticals and precision engineering.
The announcement came as the latest figures showed that unemployment has risen to 7.9%, with almost 2.5 million people out of work.
Chancellor George Osborne said it was ‘vital’ to create balanced economic growth across the country.
‘Enterprise zones are a critical part of our Plan for Growth and will support economic development and create over 300,000 new jobs by 2015.’
Communities Secretary Eric Pickles added: ‘Too many of our towns and cities have been left behind, but the answer had never been to impose ineffective sprawling regional structures. It is local business and commerce that drive the private sector growth, jobs and wealth this country needs.
‘The government’s job is to foster local enterprise and create the conditions for businesses to thrive in. That is why low tax, low regulation enterprise zones are being planted across the country and will give businesses all the incentives they need to grow their local economy and create thousands of new local jobs.’
The 11 zones announced today are:
Rotherwas Enterprise Zone in Hereford, led by
Marches LEP
Newquay Aerohub Zone, led by Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly LEP
Alconbury Airfield Zone, near Huntingdon, led by Greater Cambridgeshire and Greater Peterborough LEP
Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft Enterprise Zone, led by New Anglia LEP
Daresbury Science and Innovation Zone in North Warrington, led by Liverpool City Region and Greater Manchester LEP
Humber Waterside Enterprise Zone, in Kingston upon Hull, led by Humber LEP
Discovery Park in Sandwich and West Essex Enterprise Zone in
Harlow, led by the Kent, Essex and East Sussex LEP
Science Vale Enterprise Zone, led by Oxfordshire LEP
MIRA Technology Park in Hinckley, led by Leicester and Leicestershire LEP
Solent Enterprise Zone in Gosport, led by the Solent LEP
