Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to paras 3.25 and 5.70 of the Autumn Statement, CP 751, published on 17 November 2022, what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of the expressions of interest which will not now be taken forward.

The government set out last week its plans to refocus the Investment Zones programme, building high potential clusters for our growth industries. As a result, the original Expression of Interest (EOI) process run by DLUHC has not been taken forward. The EOI process has provided important insights into local area’s growth needs and challenges, which will help DLUHC to design the refocussed programme. The government is grateful to local authorities for their work in developing Investment Zones proposals.