Autumn Budget: Sizewell C to be signed off 'within weeks' and Suffolk to get elected mayor
There's been some big announcements for the county in the Chancellor's Autumn Statement
Last updated 17th Nov 2022
There have been several big announcements for Suffolk in the Chancellor's Autumn Statment, including confirmation Rishi Sunak's government will be going ahead with Sizewell C.
Both Boris Johnson and Liz Truss had said they'd commit to the £20bn reactor project, but there had been uncertainty over whether it would go ahead because of the state of the economy.
"There is only one way to stop ourselves being at the mercy of international gas prices: energy independence combined with energy efficiency" Chancellor Jeremy Hunt said.
He added "Britain is a global leader in renewable energy" but insisted "we need to go further, with a major acceleration of home-grown technologies like offshore wind, carbon capture and storage, and, above all, nuclear".
"This will deliver new jobs, industries, and export opportunities and secure the clean, affordable energy we need to power our future economy and reach net zero by 2050.
"So I can today announce that the Government will proceed with the new nuclear plant at Sizewell C.
"Subject to final Government approvals, the contracts for the initial investment will be signed with relevant parties, including EDF, in the coming weeks, it will create 10,000 highly skilled jobs and provide reliable, low-carbon, power to the equivalent of 6 million homes for over 50 years.
"Our £700 million investment is the first state backing for a nuclear project in over 30 years and represents the biggest step in our journey to energy independence."
Mr Hunt also confirmed Suffolk would benefit from a devolution deal, meaning the county will get an elected mayor.
It's not yet known what powers the new elected official would have, but its though they would have a budget in the region of several million pounds to invest in the region.
It could also see locals get more of a say over where their taxes are spent, as well as a shakeup of the way things like transport are run.
West Yorkshire, Manchester and the West Midlands are among regions to already have an elected mayor.