The Government has announced the latest regions to be included in the 2014-2020 Assisted Areas Map that will be eligible to bid for additional funding and benefits through such as Regional Growth Fund.
The new Assisted Areas Map is expected to be in force from 1 July 2014 and is awaiting approval from the European Commission. The current 2007-2013 Map remains in force until 30 June 2014.? New manufacturing centres added include Derby, Huddersfield, Portsmouth and Scunthorpe.
The status makes local businesses in these and the existing areas eligible to bid for additional funding and tax breaks to create jobs, invest in new premises or machinery and grow.
Eligible areas were selected based on a combination of economic need and economic opportunity. Places with the potential for business growth, particularly manufacturing, have been favoured.
Also added are Leeds and Manchester areas to help drive business growth across the north of England as well as some coastal towns to help promote regeneration.
