Scottish ports sustainability plan stalls

Scotland’s Trade Minister Ivan McKee has urged the UK Government to provide clarity over the future of the green ports model announced by the Scottish Government in January. The Scottish Government expected to launch the bidding process for green ports in Scotland this month, in partnership with the UK Government, but now this launch looks set to be delayed.

Discussing the green ports Applicant Prospectus for Scotland, which has been drafted jointly with the UK Government, Trade Minister Ivan McKee said: ““We are ready to launch the bidding process and, as far as the Scottish Government is concerned, the Applicant Prospectus is ready for publication now.

“We have been working with the UK Government on this in good faith. Regrettably, it would now appear that there is a lack of willingness on the part of the UK Government to sign up to our green port ambitions on fair work and net zero.

“As we are now fast approaching the start of the pre-election period in Scotland on 25 March, there is the real prospect of a potentially damaging delay until after the Scottish Parliament Election in May.

“If we do not have confirmation that the UK Government is ready to launch the Applicant Prospectus by close of business on Monday 22 March, we may have to conclude that the UK Government has effectively withdrawn from this process.”

The green port model adapts the UK Government’s freeport proposals, offering a package of tax and customs reliefs. Operators and beneficiaries will be required to commit to adopting Fair Work First criteria and contribute to Scotland’s transition to a net zero economy.