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Fears UK Government could decide where Scottish Freeports go without Holyrood involvement
The UK Government risks undermining devolution if it was to choose which Scottish sites are granted freeport status including in Dundee without the backing of Holyrood, it has been warned.
Work ongoing at the Port of Dundee
The UK Government risks “undermining devolution” if it was to choose which Scottish sites are granted freeport status including in Dundee without the backing of Holyrood, it has been warned.
We exclusively revealed earlier this year discussions between Holyrood and Westminster had stagnated over issues regarding the use of the SNP’s preferred “green ports” name, as well as the possibility of the UK Government deciding which Scottish ports were given “free” status.
UK ministers have been warned they will be undermining devolution if they set up new freeports in Scotland and Wales without the backing of the devolved governments.
Scottish Government ministers have made plain they will “challenge any attempts by the UK Government to impose their model in Scotland by legislating in devolved areas”, insisting such a move would be a “breach of the spirit of the devolution settlement”.
Holyrood business minister Ivan McKee issued the warning at the same time as he and ministers from Wales demanded clarity on funding for freeports – special economic zones offering tax breaks and lower tariffs for businesses as a part of the UK Government’s “levelling up” agenda.
But she added: “The UK Government is pressuring the Welsh Government to redirect its resources to deliver a UK Government policy priority. “This approach is unacceptable to us, and we have made clear that the UK Government needs to demonstrate the same level of financial commitment to freeports in Wales as they have in England.” Welsh economy minister Vaughan Gething added: “The UK Government’s continued refusal to engage constructively suggests that they would rather risk undermining devolution by implementing a flawed freeport without our support than work with us to deliver benefits for Wales.” Meanwhile, Scottish Government ministers have made plain they will “challenge any attempts by the UK Government to impose their model in Scotland by legislating in devolved areas”, insisting such a move would be a “breach of the spirit of the devolution settlement”.