<p>The government’s Investment Zones will not go ahead in their original form with plans for the programme to be significantly scaled down, it revealed in its Autumn Statement today (November 17).</p> <p>In its Autumn Statement document, HM Treasury wrote that the existing expressions of interest for the zones, announced in September’s mini-Budget, would not be taken forward. Instead, the government would “refocus” this supply side growth initiative on a “limited number of high potential clusters, working with local stakeholders, to be announced in the coming months”.</p> <p>Under the Investment Zones, the Liz Truss government <a href="http://www.house-builder.co.uk/news/chancellor-cuts-stamp-duty/">promised liberalised planning rules, reduced regulation and tax incentives in qualifying areas.</a> At the time of the mini-Budget on September 23, the government was in discussions with 38 English councils on its plans.</p> <p><a href="http://www.house-builder.co.uk/news/investment-zones-open-bids">A rapid expression of interest period ran from October 2 to 14</a>. The Department for <span>Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) asked local authorities applying to host Investment Zones to “keep growth at the front and centre of their plans by setting out the potential economic opportunities of an Investment Zone in their area, how they fit into the area’s wider economic strategy and how they will support long-term UK economic …