Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Local Growth, Jake Berry, has given the Government’s seal of approval to the latest Enterprise Zone sites across Norfolk and Suffolk.

Mr Berry joined managing director of New Anglia LEP, Chris Starkie, to formally sign a Memorandum of Understanding, which officially recognises the Government’s support for the New Anglia Space to Innovate Enterprise Zone. Space to Innovate covers ten sites across Suffolk and Norfolk including Futura Park and Princes Street in Ipswich, enterprise parks in Sproughton and Stowmarket, and Suffolk Business Park in Bury St Edmunds.

According to the LEP, the multi-site Enterprise Zone will help create 18,500 jobs during its 25-year lifetime, including 5,000 by 2021, and deliver benefits to companies including business rate discounts, simplified planning and access to superfast broadband

The Space to Innovate Enterprise Zone is one of two in the New Anglia LEP area. The first to be established was the Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft Enterprise Zone.

Mr Berry signed the document while visiting the New Anglia stand at MIPIM UK, the UK’s largest property show, which took place at Olympia in London this week.

He said: “Space to Innovate is helping local businesses get access to world class research and development, as well as modern accommodation and a highly skilled workforce. In signing this agreement with the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership, I have set out how the Government and local partners will work together to continue to drive forward Space to Innovate’s success.”