Despite both devolved governments remaining committed to
working with the UK Government, UK Ministers have signaled
their intention to move forward without devolved consent and
have failed to provide assurances they will not legislate in
devolved areas. Scottish and Welsh Ministers will robustly
challenge any attempt by the UK Government to legislate in
devolved matters.
Ministers are also seeking urgent clarity from the UK
Government on joint decision making and funding allocations
as UK Ministers have been unwilling to guarantee that funding
for ports in Scotland and Wales would match amounts being
offered in England.
The Scottish Government has been trying to work with the UK
Government to ensure the UK freeport proposal reflects the
needs of businesses and communities in Scotland. Adapting UK
Government proposals, new Scottish green ports would aim to
offer a package of assistance to businesses that adopt fair
work practices and contribute to Scotland’s just transition
to a net zero emissions economy.
The Welsh Government has again written to the UK Government
asking for an urgent discussion on how they can take these
plans forward given there has yet to be a formal offer made
for a freeport to be established in Wales.
Welsh Finance Minister
said:
“We have consistently attempted to engage constructively
with the UK Government and reach agreement on a way of
implementing freeports in Wales which is consistent with
our priorities and values as a Government.
“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
said:
“As a responsible Government, we need to see that freeports
demonstrate value for money. We also need to have
confidence that the potential negative impacts of the UK
Government’s approach are mitigated.
“We recognise that without our support, a Welsh Freeport
would be less attractive and less competitive than those in
England, but 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.”
Scottish Business Minister
said:
“The Scottish Government remains committed to working in
partnership with the UK Government, however we cannot sign
up to a UK policy which does not respect devolution,
undermines the Scottish economy and fails to provide
equivalent funding to what is on offer for ports in
England. UK Ministers have failed to work with us to ensure
their proposals best meet the needs of business and
communities in Scotland. Should the UK Government move
forward with a proposal that does not include a commitment
on fair work and net zero, the Scottish Government will not
support this initiative.
“To ensure there is not a race to the bottom on workers’
rights and the environment, the Scottish Government will
challenge any attempts by the UK Government to impose their
model in Scotland by legislating in devolved areas, which
would be a breach of the spirit of the Devolution
settlement. I would strongly encourage the Secretary of
State for Scotland and other UK Ministers to work with us
to ensure we can deliver green ports in Scotland.”
