A further indication of Humber Freeport’s imminent emergence has been given by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury.
John Glen MP has told the House of Commons how the business case has been given conditional approval, subject to the satisfactory set-up of the planned customs zone.
It came in an answer to a question posed by Cleethorpes MP Martin Vickers, and followed a Westminster delegation to present on the opportunity last week. Levelling Up Minister Dehenna Davison had told how news was imminent.
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Mr Glen said: “The Humber Freeport is already open for business, supporting the regeneration of the region by creating jobs and attracting new business investment. I am pleased to confirm the full business case for the Humber Freeport has now been conditionally approved by the Treasury, with full approval being subject to the customs site being designated and the Freeport signing an MoU (memorandum of understanding) with the Department for Levelling Up.”
It paves the way for the full set up of the freeport company and for the new body to focus on the delivery of the new jobs and investment planned for the area.
The MoU could be signed in the next two to three weeks, with the customs zone with the HMRC in draft to check. It will be done in tandem with the set-up.
Humber Freeport chairman, ABP regional director Simon Bird, said: “This is excellent news and means that the most important milestone on the journey to delivering new jobs and investment to the Humber has been passed. This has been a two and a half year project to get to this stage, involving a partnership of local authorities, business groups and universities. We have very exciting times ahead for the Humber area, with a plan to bring at least 7,000 new high-quality jobs and investment for years to come.”
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David Gwynne, interim chief executive of the Humber Freeport said he will now look to conclude the establishment of the new freeport company and “look forward to the hard work to turn the business case vision into reality”.
The freeport focuses on three zones, East Hull, South Humber and Goole. The first, including Port of Hull, Humber International Enterprise Park , Saltend Chemicals Park and Yorkshire Energy Park is described as the most advanced, with Port of Immingham and Able Marine Energy Park at neighbouring North Killingholme making up the second element. Land around the Siemens Mobility rail plant at Goole is the third, with master planning ongoing. Tax relief has already been on offer at certain locations to attract investment and create jobs.
North East Lincolnshire Council is the accountable body. Rob Walsh, chief executive, said: “Today’s excellent news is the culmination of over two years of work involving a large partnership from across the Humber. I am delighted that North East Lincolnshire Council will now get to play our role in helping to make the new company as efficient and accountable as possible so that it can focus on delivering new jobs and transforming the area.”
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