Ministers praise business commitment to local growth in Hull and Humber

Following the meeting with representatives from local business organisations including the Hull and Humber Chamber of Commerce and local MPs, Clark said: “I was very impressed by the level of energy and commitment shown by businesses from north and south of the Humber to work together to ensure that the area benefits from a local enterprise partnership. It was also remarkable that MPs from different political parties from right across the area shared their determination.”

Business Minister Mark Prisk said, “Local enterprise partnerships will be key to enabling local communities to thrive and will play a very significant role in boosting growth.
“Already, the vast majority of businesses in England are covered by a local enterprise partnership and it is encouraging to see business leaders from areas like Hull and Humber move forward with their own plans.

“We have made clear that we want to hand power over from Whitehall to local people, local businesses and local communities. I believe they are best placed to drive forward change for the better in their areas.”

The Government announced in the budget that 21 new enterprise zones will be created this year, with the first ones based in eleven vanguard local enterprise partnerships. Today the Government has invited applications for the remaining enterprise zones from established local enterprise partnerships, by the end of June 2011.

If the area is not part of a local enterprise partnership, it cannot apply. This is a crucial opportunity for the business community and local civic leaders to come together and put in place a partnership that will help Hull, the East Riding of Yorkshire and North and North East Lincolnshire realise its economic potential.