Plans to create low-tax zones in the North East face being axed, just days after it was claimed they could create tens of thousands of jobs.
Michael Gove announced over the weekend that he was putting the Liz Truss administration’s proposals to set up new ‘investment zones’ across England, where businesses would be given tax breaks and relaxed planning rules, under review. The Levelling Up secretary, restored to his post by Rishi Sunak after being sacked by Boris Johnson earlier this year, said that any initiatives that could weaken environmental protections is “out”, amid concerns from wildlife charities.
His announcement came less than two weeks after bids were unveiled for two sprawling investment zones running through Newcastle, Northumberland, and North Tyneside, which it was claimed would create “23,000 more job opportunities in the region and 8,000 new homes”.
