Jonathan Djanogly, Member of Parliament for the Huntingdon constituency, has welcomed the Government’s announcement of 11 new Enterprise Zones to create jobs and accelerate local growth, as part of the Plan for Growth. The Zones, now totalling 22, will attract hundreds of new start-up firms, with simplified planning rules, super-fast broadband and over £150 million tax breaks for new businesses over the next four years.
The successful bid for the new Enterprise Zone in Alconbury, designed to boost local growth and create over 30,000 new jobs by 2015, was announced today by the Prime Minister, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and the Communities Secretary.
The Alconbury site is 150 hectares in size and it is envisaged that up to 40 businesses will locate there with a sector focus on ICT, biotech, pharmaceutical, advanced manufacturing, creative industries, engineering and processing.
The introduction of Enterprise Zones is just one of over a hundred reforms being taken forward as part of the Government’s Plan for Growth, announced at Budget 2011, to create the conditions for strong, sustainable and balanced growth.
Mr Djanogly said:
'This announcement is excellent news for the local area. The new Enterprise Zone is a major step towards making Huntingdonshire an even greater place to do business and create jobs - by cutting business taxes, easing planning restrictions and giving business the tools they need to invest and expand.
'Labour failed on local growth and jobs. This Government is helping set the country back on a path to growth. By fostering local enterprise and creating the conditions for businesses to thrive in, we will see towns and cities across the country generating new jobs and realising their potential.'