A “NEW era for Britain” focussed on driving economic growth is set to be outlined by the Chancellor today, with Southend councillors insisting the city should be considered as one of 38 new “investment zones”.

Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng yesterday unveiled the proposals, which will slash business rates and reduced planning restrictions.

Under a new initiative, each “investment zone” will offer generous, targeted and time-limited tax cuts for businesses, backing them to increase productivity and create new jobs.

This could encourage investment in new shopping centres, restaurants, apartments and offices – creating thriving new communities.

Paul Collins, councillor responsible for asset management and inward investment, says he will be pushing for the council to enter into talks with the Government.

He said: “We would be listening if the Government wants to talk about it and we have to be seen to be available to this. We have space for business across Southend, such as the airport retail park.

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“I would be interested to see it happen and talk to them about this.

Clearly we want to tap into lower business rates. It will encourage businesses to open here and will help create new jobs too.

“I will be checking if our chief executive has been talking to the Government about this and I will be pushing to see if talks are being made as I believe we should be doing so.”

The proposed “investment zones”, dubbed “full fat freeports”, were a staple of Ms Truss’s campaign for the Tory leadership.

Under her plan, Ms Truss said these areas would benefit from a low-tax burden, re-duced planning restrictions and regulations tailored on a case-by-case basis.

But Ian Gilbert, councillor for economic recovery, said he would be cautious.

He said: “We need to see and know the details of this and we’ve seen these plans before and they didn’t quite deliver what people had expected.

“I would be concerned about planning restrictions being changed and I would want to see the other side of the coin and what we would be agreeing too.”

Kwasi Kwarteng announced the proposals last night as part of his growth plan - with more 30 measures to tackle high energy bills, drive down inflation and cut taxes to drive growth, while maintaining responsible public finances.