The County Council has welcomed a major step forward in bringing the UK’s first full-scale Gigaplant to Northumberland. 
 

During a visit to the Cambois site, Business Secretary Kwazi Kwarteng confirmed that an in principle offer of funding has been made through the Automotive Transformation Fund (ATF) which has enabled a long-term partnership with Trixtax and abrdn that will deliver £1.7bn in private funding.  
 

The ATF is a funding programme with the aim of creating a sustainable, zero emission automotive supply chain in the UK. The fund is an important mechanism to deliver the UK Government’s 10-point plan for a green industrial revolution and its recent Transport Decarbonisation Plan. 
 

Mr Kwarteng said: “Today’s news is a major boost for Britain and a resounding vote of confidence in the North East economy. 
 

“Britishvolt’s planned Gigafactory will not only enable the UK to fully capture the benefits of a booming electric vehicle market, but will bring thousands of highly-skilled, well-paid jobs to the North East. 
 

“In this global race between countries to secure vital battery production, this Government is proud to make the investment necessary to ensure the UK retains its place as one of the best locations in the world for auto manufacturing.” 
 

The project will create around 3,000 direct high-skilled jobs and another 5,000 indirect roles in the wider UK supply chain to build enough cells each year for over 300,000 electric vehicle battery packs. 
 

Council Leader Glen Sanderson said: This is a great day, not just for this part of Northumberland, but also the whole county and the wider region. 

“We’ve said since the outset this scheme is a real game changer and to now have Government backing is very welcome news.” 
 

County Councillor Wojciech Ploszaj, Cabinet Member for Business, added: “This demonstrates once again just what this county has to offer in terms of its location, its facilities, an ambitious council, and more importantly, its workforce.” 
 

Peter Rolton, Britishvolt Executive Chairman, said: “This announcement is a major step in putting the UK at the forefront of the global energy transition, unlocking huge private sector investment that will develop the technology and skills required for Britain to play its part in the next industrial revolution.. I’m especially proud that this is such a major boost for Northumberland – the county of my birth .” 
 

Prime Minister, Boris Johnson added: “Britishvolt’s plan to build a new Gigafactory in Northumberland is a strong testament to the skilled workers of the North East and the UK’s place at the helm of the global green industrial revolution. 
 

“Backed by government and private sector investment, this new battery factory will boost the production of electric vehicles in the UK, whilst levelling up opportunity and bringing thousands of new highly-skilled jobs to communities in our industrial heartlands.”