Freeports

Letters

The Forth Freeport is 45 kilometres wide and takes in Edinburgh Airport

Freeports are not ‘free’ and are a threat to democracy

Funding to produce these valuable energy resources could come from the UK Government

Funding to produce these valuable energy resources could come from the UK Government

1

Freeports are not the only way to produce Scottish green energy

The Port of Cromarty Firth has been designated as a Green Freeport

The Port of Cromarty Firth has been designated as a Green Freeport

Discussion around green freeports is welcome - although it may be too late

First Minister Humza Yousaf said he understands concerns around the green freeports

First Minister Humza Yousaf said he understands concerns around the green freeports

4

Humza Yousaf defends green freeports after SNP members raise 'extreme' concerns

Calum MacPherson, the chief executive officer of the Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport

Calum MacPherson, the chief executive officer of the Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport

9

CEO: Why Scotland must value its green freeports, not talk them down

Don't worry - we will continue to cover Scotland’s green freeports extensively

Don't worry - we will continue to cover Scotland’s green freeports extensively

Fair Work Convention

Five key points from The National's series on Scotland's green freeports

Teeside freeport – the largest in the UK – was the subject of a damning review in January. Douglas Chapman says he understands people's concerns

Teeside freeport – the largest in the UK – was the subject of a damning review in January. Douglas Chapman says he understands people's concerns

9

SNP MP: 'Our green freeports take different approach to English horror stories'

The Forth Green Freeport is one of the new green freeports being introduced in Scotland

The Forth Green Freeport is one of the new green freeports being introduced in Scotland

5

Time to debunk conspiracies about freeports – the reality is concerning enough

Richard Murphy discusses freeports as part of his weekly column

Richard Murphy discusses freeports as part of his weekly column

8

Forget the hype Scotland, freeports are basically just tax havens – here's why

Forth Port's bid for a green freeport centred in Leith was approved in January 2023

Forth Port's bid for a green freeport centred in Leith was approved in January 2023

7

What will green freeports mean for Scotland? An expert answers key questions

A motion at SNP conference in 2021 highlighted concerns that the scheme was a part of the 'agenda to undermine devolution'

A motion at SNP conference in 2021 highlighted concerns that the scheme was a part of the 'agenda to undermine devolution'

5

SNP members call for review into green freeports amid 'extreme' concerns

Roz Foyer has called for assurances for workers on all ports

Roz Foyer has called for assurances for workers on all ports

3

Still unclear what 'worrying' freeports mean for workers, says Roz Foyer

Richard Lochhead claims there is

Richard Lochhead claims there is

11

‘No evidence’: Minister denies green freeports threaten indy Scotland joining EU

Very few locals we spoke to in Rosyth knew the green freeport scheme existed

Very few locals we spoke to in Rosyth knew the green freeport scheme existed

3

‘Too little information’: Rosyth locals have ‘nae clue’ about Forth green freeport

There are concerns the scheme would see Scotland diverge from the EU's minimum standards

There are concerns the scheme would see Scotland diverge from the EU's minimum standards

57

Green freeports 'threaten an independent Scotland joining the EU'

You have sent in your questions and we have taken them to the CEO of Inverness and Cromarty Firth green freeport (above)

You have sent in your questions and we have taken them to the CEO of Inverness and Cromarty Firth green freeport (above)

4

Q&A: Scottish freeport CEO takes the tough questions from our readers

Rishi Sunak (second left) and Scottish Secretary Alister Jack (second right) during a visit to the Port of Cromarty Firth (Image: Russell Cheyne)

Rishi Sunak (second left) and Scottish Secretary Alister Jack (second right) during a visit to the Port of Cromarty Firth (Image: Russell Cheyne)

11

What are green freeports? The National launches exclusive week-long series

The National's week-long series on Scotland’s green freeports starts today

The National's week-long series on Scotland’s green freeports starts today

EXCLUSIVE SERIES

62

'Scotland's green freeports are biggest industrial development in a generation'

Won’t the tax avoided by businesses thanks to freeports ultimately have to be paid by someone else?

Won’t the tax avoided by businesses thanks to freeports ultimately have to be paid by someone else?

Council Tax freeze will save us money, but at what cost to services?

Rishi Sunak (second left) and Scottish Secretary Alister Jack (second right) during a visit to the Port of Cromarty Firth (Image: Russell Cheyne)

Rishi Sunak (second left) and Scottish Secretary Alister Jack (second right) during a visit to the Port of Cromarty Firth (Image: Russell Cheyne)

5

What do YOU want to know about Scotland's green freeports?

Rishi Sunak (second left) and Scottish Secretary Alister Jack (second right) during a visit to the Port of Cromarty Firth

Rishi Sunak (second left) and Scottish Secretary Alister Jack (second right) during a visit to the Port of Cromarty Firth

4

Tax relief extended at Scotland's green freeports after agreement reached

1

Dunfermline should become ‘city port’ with Rosyth, SNP MP says

Greens attack Scottish freeports plan as 'repeat of trickle-down economics'

Greens attack Scottish freeports plan as 'repeat of trickle-down economics'

Greens attack Scottish freeports plan as 'repeat of trickle-down economics'

SNP councillor and former HMRC director general Peter Henderson writes for The Sunday National about the problem with freeports

SNP councillor and former HMRC director general Peter Henderson writes for The Sunday National about the problem with freeports

Conservative Party

5

I oversaw Scotland's last freeport. Here's the problem with them

Finance Secretary Kate Forbes is understood to have worked on the proposals for freeports in Scotland

Finance Secretary Kate Forbes is understood to have worked on the proposals for freeports in Scotland

Conservative Party

5

SNP ministers 'contradict party policy' backing freeports that 'undermine devolution'

Scotland's net zero minister has been urged not to allow nuclear power plants on Scotland's freeports

Scotland's net zero minister has been urged not to allow nuclear power plants on Scotland's freeports

6

Nuclear power at freeports is ‘greenwashing’, net zero minister told

The SNP may regret lending the UK Government its support on green freeports, says Richard Murphy

The SNP may regret lending the UK Government its support on green freeports, says Richard Murphy

29

Richard Murphy: The SNP may regret lending UK its support on freeports

The Firth of Forth will have a freeport, but aren't these just glorified tax-avoidance schemes?

The Firth of Forth will have a freeport, but aren't these just glorified tax-avoidance schemes?

1

I still doubt the long-term benefits of so-called green freeports

Forth Port's bid to be a new green freeport to be centred in Leith has been approved

Forth Port's bid to be a new green freeport to be centred in Leith has been approved

Conservative Party

7

With 'freeports', Scotland will be home to subnational tax havens

Kate Forbes and Ross Greer take different stances on freeports

Kate Forbes and Ross Greer take different stances on freeports

11

Why is there an SNP-Green row over freeports in Scotland?

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak (second left) and Scottish Secretary Alister Jack (second right) during a visit to the Port of Cromarty Firth

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak (second left) and Scottish Secretary Alister Jack (second right) during a visit to the Port of Cromarty Firth

16

Scottish Government reveals Scotland's first 'green freeports'

Cromarty Firth is expected to gain freeport status

Cromarty Firth is expected to gain freeport status

22

UK in 'serious breach of trust' over Scots freeport revelation

Shetland is hoping to launch rockets from its spaceport next year

Shetland is hoping to launch rockets from its spaceport next year

2

Scottish spaceport aims to be included as part of green freeport bid

Whyte & Mackay's Invergordon distillery, pictured in June 2021

Whyte & Mackay's Invergordon distillery, pictured in June 2021

8

Whisky giant backs Highland bid for green freeport to help net-zero goal

Five freeport bids were received by the governments

Five freeport bids were received by the governments

Conservative Party

Freeports branded 'Brexit greenwash' as bidding process for two Scots zones closes

Ariane Burgess, Greens MSP for the Highlands and Islands

Ariane Burgess, Greens MSP for the Highlands and Islands

2

Greens hit back at plans for freeport in Highlands over 'jobs boom' claim

The Scottish Government has secured significant additional investment into Scotland to upgrade port infrastructure

The Scottish Government has secured significant additional investment into Scotland to upgrade port infrastructure

6

This is why the SNP's Green Ports plan is right for Scotland

Ross Greer said the Scottish Greens would have 'nothing to do' with freeport plans

Ross Greer said the Scottish Greens would have 'nothing to do' with freeport plans

'Freeports' in Scotland suggest emperor has no clothes

Scottish ‘greenports’ do not notably differ from freeports

Scottish ‘greenports’ do not notably differ from freeports

1

Mark Ruskell: Simple re-branding of freeports does not do enough for climate

The proposal for Scottish green freeports should have been challenged, not adopted by the Scottish Government

The proposal for Scottish green freeports should have been challenged, not adopted by the Scottish Government

Conservative Party

43

Lesley Riddoch: Westminster is trying to hold us hostage and using our cash to do it

The three local authorities in Ayrshire may wish to consider a collaborative bid

The three local authorities in Ayrshire may wish to consider a collaborative bid

1

Could Prestwick Airport become the centre of a freeport area?

Nicola Sturgeon’s government objected to the idea but the UK Government said they would be happening anyway

Nicola Sturgeon’s government objected to the idea but the UK Government said they would be happening anyway

2

The UK Government is trampling over Scotland again with freeports

The SNP's Trade Union group has asked for answers around the plans for 'green freeports' in Scotland

The SNP's Trade Union group has asked for answers around the plans for 'green freeports' in Scotland

5

SNP grassroots demand 'urgent answers' as backlash against freeport plan grows

Finance Secretary Kate Forbes said the deal will help create new green jobs

Finance Secretary Kate Forbes said the deal will help create new green jobs

Conservative Party

22

UK and Scottish governments agree plan for two 'green freeports' in Scotland

No freeports in Scotland without six key guarantees, SNP members say

No freeports in Scotland without six key guarantees, SNP members say

1

No freeports in Scotland without six key guarantees, SNP members say

A substantial land area will be included for each freeport – for example, the Firth of Forth freeport would include the airport

A substantial land area will be included for each freeport – for example, the Firth of Forth freeport would include the airport

Here’s why every Scottish port and harbour should become a freeport