The UK Government has committed funding up to £52 million to support the new Green Freeports. A landmark deal has been agreed between the UK and Scottish governments to collaborate and deliver 2 Green Freeports in Scotland.
The new hubs will support the regeneration of communities across Scotland, will bring jobs and prosperity, and support UK government work to level-up all 4 corners of the United Kingdom.
The Green Freeports will have net-zero targets at the heart as prospective bidders will have to make a pledge to reach Net Zero by 2045.
The bidding process will open in spring, closing in summer, after which the bids will be assessed, and successful locations announced. It’s hoped that the new sites will be operational by spring 2023.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said:
“Freeports will help to accelerate our plan to level up communities across the whole of the United Kingdom. They have the power to be truly transformational by creating jobs and investment opportunities to enable people to reach their potential, and I am delighted that people across Scotland will reap the benefits that will come from having 2 new Green Freeports.”
The agreement with the Scottish Government builds on UK government’s ambitious long-term plan to spread opportunity more equally across the whole of the UK, as set out in the Levelling Up White Paper. As part of this, we are determined to ensure every corner of the UK can reap the benefits of our Freeport programme – supporting regeneration while attracting new jobs, business and investment.
The Secretary of State for Levelling Up and Secretary of State for Wales have discussed this issue with counterparts in the Welsh Government, and good progress is being made towards an agreement that would see a new Freeport delivered in Wales as part of a shared endeavour between UK and Welsh Governments. We hope to be able to announce details shortly.
Secretary of State Michael Gove said:
“This is a truly exciting moment for Scotland, and I am delighted we will be working together with the Scottish government to set up 2 new Green Freeports.
“Green Freeports help inject billions into the local economy, while levelling-up by creating jobs for local people, and opportunities for people all over the UK to flourish.
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