£160m Funding for NE Wales Development Plan – The Investment Zone in Flintshire and Wrexham is set to launch in 2025.
£1.7 Billion
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced that the £160 million North-East Wales Investment Zone, spanning Flintshire and Wrexham, will become operational next year. The initiative, supported by the Welsh Government, was first unveiled in last year’s autumn Budget by then-Conservative Chancellor Jeremy Hunt. Subject to business case approval, the Prime Minister has confirmed the project will go live in 2025.
The Investment Zone aims to attract £1.7 billion in additional funding and generate thousands of new jobs. Wrexham and Flintshire Councils have been instrumental in campaigning for the zone’s designation, which will focus on fostering the region’s advanced manufacturing sector to boost growth, expand opportunities, and increase skills and wages.
Speaking during a visit to Airbus Broughton, the Prime Minister said, “I am determined to fast-track our support for Wales’ growth, and the Budget showed this government’s steadfast commitment to boosting opportunity by backing Investment Zones across Wales’ towns and cities, alongside Freeports on the Welsh coast.”

£160m Initiative
Plans are taking shape to implement the £160 million initiative, which aims to “create jobs and attract private sector investment to grow the manufacturing cluster across Flintshire and Wrexham”.
Wrexham and Flintshire Councils, in partnership with the North Wales Corporate Joint Committee (CJC), the Welsh Government, and the UK Government, are the driving forces behind this significant economic project.
The expectation is to create over 6,000 advanced manufacturing jobs and attract £1 billion in private-sector investment. Three designated tax sites – Deeside Gateway, Warren Hall and Wrexham Industrial Estate – will benefit from tax relief, including a five-year exemption from business rates, employer National Insurance relief, and capital allowances to stimulate business development.
“This Is Fantastic for Us”
Council Leader Mark Pritchard highlighted the importance of collaboration when he said, “This is fantastic for us. The £160 million will bring an estimated £1 billion to the local economy. We’re setting up boards, getting our constitution right, and preparing to deliver ASAP.”
Pritchard also addressed his earlier reservations about CJCs, stating, “I didn’t agree with how they brought CJCs in, but they’re here now. We’ll make them work and push for more powers to come to the region.”
Tax Incentives
The three tax sites will offer a range of incentives, including five-year relief from business rates, full stamp duty land tax relief for commercial land and buildings and zero-rate employer National Insurance contributions on salaries for new employees.

When asked if the initiative might attract existing businesses seeking to benefit from tax breaks rather than fostering new ones, Cllr Pritchard remained optimistic: “I think you’ll have to wait to see what comes through the door. “Really, I haven’t got a crystal ball. Can I say, we certainly are not a Monaco! “It might be that some companies relocate, but for me, it doesn’t matter who they are as long as they bring investments, create jobs, and benefit Wrexham and Flintshire.”
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