Currently GDP per capita across the Haven Gateway significantly trails the broader East of England region, so this bid perfectly fits the government’s ambitious levelling up agenda.
“Freeport East will also use our location at the heart of massive new wind and nuclear generation projects to become a national centre of technical excellence.”
Bernard Jenkin, MP for Harwich and North Essex, said: “This bid is economically the most significant for the UK economy as a whole. Felixstowe-Harwich is the UK s biggest port. We serve the UK s biggest exporters, have the biggest reach into our industrial heartlands, we will generate the most levelling up, and we offer the biggest contribution to carbon reduction.
Councillors at Babergh s last full council meeting rejected withdrawing from the partnership by 21 votes to six, while Mid Suffolk s meeting also turned down the recommendation to leave by 28 votes to five.
Babergh leader John Ward acknowledged that the partnership does find it difficult to demonstrate value but unites the authorities on the Essex and Suffolk sides of the Stour .
He added: Given that potentially there is going to be a bid for Freeport East that will encompass Felixstowe and Harwich it might give a renewed vitality to the Haven Gateway Partnership. I think any withdrawal at the moment would be a bit premature.