With the UK Government planning to locate ‘Investment Zones’ throughout the country, Dr James Davies questioned the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Simon Clarke MP, last week over the role the Welsh Government must play to ensure their full potential is realised in Wales.
As part of its levelling up agenda, the UK Government has indicated a desire to drive economic growth through the introduction of ‘Investment Zones’. They are intended to facilitate the development of successful and prosperous communities.
With the new Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, confirming the Government's commitment to Investment Zones, in the House of Commons last week, James asked the Secretary of State what assessment he has made of the potential merits of investment zones for local residents and businesses, and what has been done to date to secure the engagement of the Welsh Government.
He said:
“The Government intend investment zones to be located UK wide, but, in my constituency and the rest of Wales, that requires the engagement of the Welsh Government. Will my right hon. Friend update the House as to progress on securing that engagement?”
The Secretary of State replied:
“My hon. Friend and his colleagues from North Wales have already been absolutely passionate advocates of the potential of investment zones to benefit their region.
“He is quite right that we will need the co-operation of the Welsh Labour Government to unlock the full benefits of these zones. Discussions are ongoing with the Welsh Government, and I am delighted that I will have his support in making the case to their Minister for the Economy that Welsh Labour should embrace these zones.”
Speaking afterwards, James said:
“As the Secretary of State highlighted in the House, these investment zones will ‘turbocharge our plans for growth, spread opportunity and be transformational for towns and cities across the country.
"They will create new jobs and homes on targeted sites while maintaining strong environmental outcomes and keeping national green-belt protections in place. They will attract businesses and jobs through lower taxes and streamline planning rules to unlock commercial development.
“It is vital that the Labour Welsh Government embraces this opportunity and cooperates with the UK Government so that Wales can benefit from investment zones in the same way as other parts of the country.”
