A WHARFEDALE MP has praised the Government’s Enterprise Zone programme for “boosting” the local economy.

New figures show that the Leeds City Region zone has created more than 500 jobs to date, while across the country the scheme has resulted in some 15,500 new jobs.

Otley-based MP Greg Mulholland (Lib Dem, Leeds North West) says the initiative has also involved empowering local businesses and communities.

He said: “Thanks to joint efforts by business secretary Vince Cable and Lib Dem local government minister Stephen Williams, we have seen a real boost to the local economy in terms of more jobs, more innovation and more power to the local community to do what’s best for Leeds.”

The coalition Government has created 24 Enterprise Zones – which replaced the Regional Development Agencies it scrapped – across the country, which it says have attracted 480 businesses and more than £2.1 billion in private investment.