Government drives Industrial Strategy with 12 new Enterprise Zones

In a potential boost for UK business, the Government has today (April 5) announced that 12 new Enterprise Zones have gone live.

First outlined in 2015’s Autumn Statement, the aim of the zones is to help startups get off the ground and established businesses to unlock growth by offering business rates discounts and further tax breaks along with a simplified local planning process.

In addition to the 12 new zones, two others – the West of England Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and the New Anglia LEP – have extended their geographical reach.

There are now 48 Enterprise Zones in operation in England. Since their launch in 2012, they have attracted private investment of over £2.6bn and helped create more than 29k jobs and 700 new businesses.

Andrew Percy MP, the Local Growth Minister, said: “Our modern Industrial Strategy is about creating the right environment for businesses to grow – Enterprise Zones are making sure this happens across the country.

“This is a key part of our Plan for Britain, creating a stronger economy that works for everyone.”

He added: “These 12 new Enterprise Zones will help even more businesses to set up and grow. I’m confident they will build on the success we’ve already seen over the past five years.”

The new Enterprise Zones and their respective LEPs, by region, are:

North

• M62 Corridor (Leeds City Region LEP)
• North East Round 2 (North East LEP)
• York Central (York, North Yorkshire and East Riding LEP)

Midlands

• Brierley Hill (Black Country LEP)
• Loughborough and Leicester (Leicester and Leicestershire LEP)

South West

• Cornwall MarineHub (Cornwall and Isles of Scilly LEP)
• Dorset (Dorset LEP)
• Heart of the South West (Heart of the South West LEP)
• An extension to the West of England LEP Enterprise Zone

East and South East

• Enterprise M3 (Enterprise M3 LEP)
• Enviro-Tech (Hertfordshire LEP)
• Newhaven (Coast to Capital LEP)
• North Kent Enterprise Zone (South East LEP)
• An extension to the New Anglia LEP Enterprise Zone