Lotus secures £10m government grant

British luxury car maker Lotus has secured a £10million government grant to support further R&D activities and create 313 new full-time jobs.

The grant, awarded by the Regional Growth Fund, will also be used to up-skill staff at the company's headquarters in Norfolk. Speaking during a tour of the Norfolk facility earlier this week, Business Secretary Vince Cable said: "Lotus is an iconic British car maker, with some of the most innovative engineers in the business. "I am pleased to announce today that our flagship economic plan to create jobs outside of London - the Regional Growth Fund - is awarding Lotus a £10million grant which will help them develop their next generation of cars and create over 300 new jobs in East Anglia." The government has already supported more than 400 projects with £2.6billion of Regional Growth Fund money, promoting growth in regions across England. The latest round is open until 9 December 2013. All businesses with a plan to support jobs in their local areas are urged to apply.