Uk Government Challenged To Deliver Green Ports In Scotland

3rd July 2021

Following a meeting yesterday, Friday 2 July, with the Secretary of State for Scotland, Trade Minister Ivan McKee has written to the UK Government seeking their urgent cooperation to deliver green ports in Scotland.

Adapting the UK Government freeport proposals, the aim of Scottish green ports is to offer a package of tax and customs reliefs to operators and their beneficiaries who adopt fair work practices and contribute to Scotland's just energy transition to net zero.

In a letter to the Scottish Secretary, Mr McKee outlined concerns from the Scottish Government and industry stakeholders that a delay from the UK Government is putting Scottish ports at a competitive disadvantage. Mr McKee also made it clear that Scottish Ministers would challenge any attempts by the UK Government to legislate in devolved areas.

He said:"Green ports will help us create a sustainable economy that promotes good jobs and supports our important net zero commitments. The Scottish Government remains committed to working in partnership with the UK Government to ensure the benefits of green ports are equally felt by businesses across the UK. However, we have been frustrated at the lack of cooperation from the UK Government who so far appear to be unwilling to allocate funding on a par with elsewhere in the UK, or to agree to our green port ambitions on fair work and net zero.

“The Scottish Government will not be party to any offer that does not include these elements as articulated in our draft prospectus as published in March. 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."