Linda calls for return of Enterprise Zones

You may have read in the news lately that I have been pressing the government to have Enterprise Zones reintroduced in parts of North Tyneside, to assist in attracting new business to our area. I have personally written to the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, Dr Vince Cable, and Prime Minister David Cameron about the matter.

After hearing George Osbourne’s speech on March 5th, I am determined to ensure North Tyneside is included in the list of Enterprise Zones due to be announced in the coming budget.

I believe an Enterprise Zone would give new hope to the whole area, potentially attracting increased economic growth and private sector investment in areas such as the North Bank and the Port of Tyne. During the past 20 years North Tyneside has benefitted significantly from the award of Enterprise Zone status. The area has attracted investment resulting in the valuable assets we have today, including Cobalt Business Park, which is the UK’s largest office park development, and Quorum Business Park, which continues to go from strength to strength. These developments have brought around 15,000 new jobs to the area.

With Enterprise Zone status, we would be able to offer businesses low tax and simplified planning rules, which would help me and my team deliver a new start for the North Bank of the Tyne and North Tyneside. We are looking at offshore wind jobs for the North Bank of the Tyne project and making the Port of Tyne and other related sites a focus for growth. This could be the final piece of the jigsaw to encourage business to look at the area more favourably and to create jobs for local people.