Scotland has unveiled proposals for a new model of green ports focused on “inclusive growth, fair work practices and delivering a net zero economy”.
The Scottish Government is developing plans to establish fair, sustainable, green ports.
These would adapt the UK government’s freeport proposals, offering streamlined planning processes and a package of tax and customs reliefs.
The Scottish Government’s green ports would make it necessary for port operators and businesses within various industries, such as offshore energy, that would stand to benefit from the package of incentives to pay the real Living Wage, adopt the Scottish Business Pledge, commit to supporting sustainable and inclusive growth in local communities, while contributing to Scotland’s transition to net zero.
The plans were announced by Scottish trade minister Ivan McKee who will hold discussions with the UK Government next week.
McKee said that having listened to what businesses and communities have said and there is “an appetite” for new ways to support Scotland’s economy through the recovery.
He said the Scottish green port model will be an “exemplar”, adopting best practice which helps deliver net zero emissions and fair work principles, alongside supporting regeneration and innovation ambitions.
McKee said: “The reputation of freeports across the world is mixed, with concerns about deregulation and risks of criminality, tax evasion and reductions in workers’ rights raised.
“That is not a model nor an approach that this Scottish Government will sign up to or allow here in Scotland.
“And it is clear that freeports cannot and will not undo the damage being caused to Scotland’s economy by the UK Government’s decision to take us out of the EU, the world’s biggest single market.”
McKee said the Scottish Government proposes to take the freeport model and apply Scotland’s priorities to it, so that it meets its ambition to deliver a “net zero, wellbeing economy that upholds the highest standards of environmental protections and fair work practices” and supports Scotland’s strategy of “building clusters of high productivity businesses” across its regions.