Question reference: S5W-32013
- Asked by: David Stewart, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
- Date lodged: 24 September 2020
-
Current status: Answered by Ivan McKee on 8 October 2020
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what role it will play in promoting the Freeport competition.
Answer
Ministers and officials have held regular discussions with UK Government counterparts on proposals for freeports. However, we await further, more detailed information about implementation of the UK Government’s Freeport policy, including on the reserved tax and financial incentives to be offered.
The UK Government freeport competition concerns bids for potential freeports in England only. The UK Government has stated that it will work with the Scottish Government to determine how the location for any Scottish freeports would be selected, should Scotland ultimately choose to have freeports. However, we await clarity from the UK Government on its modelling of evidence of positive economic impact and the full range of incentives available prior to making a final policy decision.
While the proposal to introduce freeports is a UK Government policy, we are giving it detailed consideration. To that end, discussions and engagement will continue as we seek to establish a robust evidence base with regard to all the potential impacts of this policy on the Scottish economy.