Advantages? It is claimed Freeport East will build on the existing ports’ excellent road and rail links although it has long been contested Harwich Port cannot be expanded until the A120 is dualled. Freeport East claims the freeport zone would attract £500 million of investment over the next five years. It would also mean imports could enter with more simplified customs documentation and no tariffs, making for what bosses believe could be a more streamlined system. Tax on imports is very low or waived in order, which, in turn, encourages economic growth and trade.
How have people reacted? Neil Stock, Tendring Council’s leader said in February 2020 the announcement of a proposed bid was a “terrific opportunity for Harwich”.
The Port of Felixstowe is a major part of the Freeport East bid
- Credit: Adam Boughey
A tax-free port in East Anglia could be the “silver bullet” the region’s economy needs to close the gap on the rest of the country, according to man behind the project.
It is estimated that a freeport in the East would create 13,500 jobs and secure up to £650million of investment for the region.
Freeports are exempt from import taxes on goods coming into the area which are not destined for the UK – effectively treating the area covered by the freeport as if it is not part of the country for tax purposes.
Freeport plans: Harwich International Port HARWICH’S former MP has called for the town to be made the priority for development as part of the Freeport bid. Ivan Henderson, who worked on the docks for 20 years, has backed the bid by Freeport East, a group made up of businesses and local authorities, calling on the Government to assign freeport status to Harwich and Felixstowe. If approved, the group estimates 13,000 new jobs and 150 apprenticeships could be created in the region, while the freeport zone would attract £500million of investment over the next five years. Mr Henderson has called for Harwich to be the priority for development rather than the Port of Felixstowe, which is the UK’s largest container port.
New UK Freeport Scheme Announced with Imminent Closure of Applications
East Anglian Region Follows Thames
UK – Having already seen plans to create a Freeport in the Thames region, this week details of the scheme to do the same based in the East Anglian region were revealed.
Freeport East is a collaboration between the ports of Harwich and Ipswich and others, and the partners are claiming the project could create 13,500 jobs in the region as part of an investment of more than half-a-billion pounds. The figures were set out in a bid submitted by Freeport East, ahead of the Government’s deadline (midday, Friday 5 February) as part of its argument for the designation.
A BID has been submitted to create a freeport for the East of England - creating more than 13,000 jobs for the region. The Freeport East group, made up from businesses and local authorities, is calling on the Government to assign the status to Harwich and Felixstowe. Freeport status means areas will benefit from tax reliefs and simplified customs procedures in order to encourage economic activity, which the Government sees as a means of boosting global trade following Brexit. Areas have until midday today to enter their bids to be considered by the Treasury and a decision is expected in the Spring.