Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Investment Zones

Tuesday 5 September 2023 · 5 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 5 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Investment zones are part of the national industrial strategy to spread benefits across the UK.
  • The Acorn carbon capture project is located in Banff and Buchan, a key area within the north-east Scotland investment zone.
  • The Chancellor supports the potential of Clwyd South as a candidate for a new investment zone.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Simon Baynes
Business & Trade
Context

The MP is asking about the progress made on introducing investment zones, which are part of a national industrial strategy.

Question

What progress has been made on the introduction of investment zones as part of our national industrial strategy?

Answer from Jeremy Hunt

Investment zones are part of our industrial strategy to make sure that the benefits of our national strengths in our five growth priority sectors are spread throughout the UK.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific progress details or timelines on introducing investment zones.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q2 David Duguid Con
Climate Business & Trade
Context

The MP is inquiring about the potential for innovation within the north-east Scotland investment zone, which includes clean energy projects like Acorn.

Question

Can he confirm that the north-east Scotland investment zone will lead to more innovation to promote key industries not just in Aberdeen City but also in Banff and Buchan?

Answer from Jeremy Hunt

I know that the Acorn carbon capture, usage and storage project is based at St Fergus in my hon. Friend's patch, and that Banff and Buchan is within the north-east of Scotland region, which is one of two eligible areas and has been a long-standing global centre for excellence in clean energy.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not explicitly confirm if investment zone will promote wider regional innovation beyond Aberdeen City.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q3 Simon Baynes
Economy Energy Business & Trade
Context

The MP suggests that north-east Wales, including Clwyd South and Wrexham, should be considered for a new investment zone due to its close ties with the north-west of England.

Question

Does the Chancellor agree that Clwyd South represents one of the best candidates for a new investment zone? Will he consider making it cross-border?

Answer from Jeremy Hunt

I know there are some great businesses in my hon. Friend's constituency—I much enjoyed meeting Robin and Helen Jones of Jones' Village Bakery at a recent reception in No. 10, and I know they are going from strength to strength. I holidayed in Clwyd last year, and from the top of Moel Famau I saw a very impressive offshore wind farm.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific details or confirm if Clwyd South is being considered for an investment zone.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q4 Dan Jarvis Lab Barnsley North
Transport
Context

The MP is concerned about the importance of transport infrastructure, particularly by bus, for people to access jobs in the South Yorkshire investment zone.

Question

Will he make sure that included within the financial package available is money to assist with local public transport?

Answer from Jeremy Hunt

I very much enjoyed my visit to South Yorkshire to open that investment zone. It is incredibly impressive what is happening there and it was wonderful to welcome new investment by Boeing as part of that. The hon. Gentleman is right to talk about transport; that is why we involve local authorities in all our investment zone decisions.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not explicitly confirm if funding will include money for public transport.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q5 Clive Betts Lab Sheffield South East
Energy
Context

The MP is discussing the potential of developing small modular reactors in the Sheffield investment zone and seeking support from the government.

Question

Would he be willing to look at that proposal and hopefully offer support for it?

Answer from Jeremy Hunt

I enjoyed meeting the hon. Gentleman when we opened that investment zone. Let me reassure him that I am a big supporter of nuclear and I am very excited about the potential of SMRs. There is a competition going on this year, which we hope will be completed by the end of the year, to assess the viability of the various SMR manufacturers.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not explicitly confirm if support for SMR development in Sheffield would be offered.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)