Hull could be set to secure new Investment Zone status as Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng promises “a new era for Britain” focusing on driving economic growth.
The city was specifically namechecked in the briefing given ahead of the Commons announcement on Friday, along with the West Midlands, Tees Valley and Somerset, as discussions with 38 local and mayoral combined authority areas to set up the new status were outlined. All four Humber authorities have been in talks - with the Department for Levelling Up Housing and Communties to set out selection criteria shortly.
Already part of the Humber Freeport - still awaiting a formal launch as the final business plan is worked up, with Mr Kwarteng visiting to break ground on the Pensana site in one of his last acts as Business Secretary - Hull's new zone would be a specific site, with the areas described as “hubs for growth” and “emblematic of the modern Britain that this government want to create”.
