PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Enterprise Zones: Rural Areas (4 September 2015)

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what criteria and conditions will need to be fulfilled for rural areas to be successful in applying for Enterprise Zone status; and if he will make a statement.

Asked by:
James Cartlidge (Conservative)

In this round, we welcome proposals which have been clearly identified as the Local Enterprise Partnership’s top local growth priority, and/or involve smaller towns, districts and rural areas.

The Rural Productivity Plan, launched on 20 August by the my rt. hon. Friends, the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, also encourages such towns, districts and rural areas to work with Local Enterprise Partnerships to apply for an Enterprise Zone in their area.

The criteria and conditions for all bids, including those in rural areas, is that they have the support of the Local Enterprise Partnership and offer good value for money to the taxpayer. Full requirements have been published on the Government’s website.

Answered by:
Lord Wharton of Yarm (Conservative)
14 September 2015