Rishi Sunak told to save jobs and back north-east freeport bid

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is under pressure to secure investment and jobs in the North Sea by finally naming the north-east as a green freeport.

The UK Government is yet to publicly confirm the locations of the two successful Scottish bids, which would come with special tax status.

The delay is despite Scottish Secretary Alister Jack revealing more than a month ago that a decision had already been reached privately.

The team behind the North East Scotland Green Freeport bid wrote to the new prime minister to persuade him of its merits, and end the frustration.

The letter highlights the “rich industrial legacy” of the region which has for decades been the oil and gas capital of Europe.

But it stresses that the move towards clean energy production has “inevitably led to skilled workers seeking employment outwith our region”.

Jobs boom

Mr Sunak is being urged to “reverse this displacement”.

The team also hopes it will lead the way to a new carbon capture scheme at St Fergus.

Independent analysis has shown freeport status could generate 32,000 jobs and an economic boost of £8.5 billion in gross value added.

The team behind the bid includes representatives from Aberdeen and Peterhead ports, Aberdeen International Airport and Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire Councils.

Four other bids were lodged by groups in Inverness and Cromarty, Orkney, Clyde and Forth.

But 18 months after negotiations on the policy began between the UK and Scottish governments, the winners are still waiting to be announced.

Scottish Secretary Alister Jack admitted two successful Scottish applications had already been chosen at Tory party conference more than a month ago.

It is understood plans from former Prime Minister Liz Truss to give low-tax investment status to the losing bids had caused a hold-up.

But investment zones were described by SNP figures as a “soundbite in search of a policy to call home”.

A UK Government spokesman said: “Green freeports are a key part of our levelling up agenda and will support a net zero economy in Scotland, bringing hundreds of jobs to the successful areas.

“Our proposal to establish two green freeports has received five strong bids from ports right across Scotland.

“In partnership with the Scottish Government, we are reviewing the applications and will decide which two proposals will be taken forward.”