8,000 new jobs promised as South Yorkshire announced as UK's first investment zone

South Yorkshire could see 8,000 new jobs created and £1.2bn of funding by 2030, after being named as the UK's first Investment Zone.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt made the announcement during a visit to Sheffield, saying the plan had already secured £80m of private investment and was being backed by Boeing.

Mr Hunt said the first investment zone, which focuses on advanced manufacturing, would help "level up the region" and allow South Yorkshire to 'make an even greater contribution to the UK economy.'

Boeing, Spirit AeroSystems, Loop Technology and the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) have partnered to support the first investment.

The zone is the first of 12 which will be established across the UK.

The Treasury said the investment would bring investment and jobs to Sheffield, Rotherham, Doncaster and Barnsley.

Mr Hunt said: "Our first investment zone is a shining example of how we will drive growth across the country.

"It's already secured more than £80 million of private investment, including backing from Boeing, and will help support more than 8,000 jobs by 2030."

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