Austin Macauley 30 March 2016

Enterprise zones continue to drive jobs growth

More than 1,900 jobs were created across England’s 24 enterprise zones between July and September last year, latest figures have revealed.

The Government said it represented a 9% increase on the previous quarter with the zones having attracted nearly 24,000 new jobs in the space of four years.

Of the 1,918 jobs created in the three months to September, 684 were in the north of England’s nine zones and 444 in the south west’s two zones. The Midlands’ six zones accounted for 325 jobs, 241 were created in the east of England’s two zones, and five zones across London and the south east drew in 224 jobs.

Northern Powerhouse minister James Wharton said: ‘Once again, we are seeing proof that enterprise zones are delivering real, tangible benefits, with jobs and companies showing significant growth.

‘In just four years, nearly 24,000 new jobs have been attracted to enterprise zones across the country – with jobs growth in the Northern Powerhouse even higher than the national average.

‘But we want to go even further, and the announcement of three new enterprise zones and a zone extension in the recent Budget means this programme will go from strength to strength.’