Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Freeports

Wednesday 19 October 2022 · 7 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • My Department has worked alongside the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities to support freeports in Wales, agreeing a prospectus with the Welsh Government in early September.
  • The UK Government is committed to establishing at least one freeport in Wales by the summer of the following year, with 26 million in seed funding, expected to create over 18,000 jobs and provide a 3.2 billion boost.
  • The Secretary of State assured that the freeports prospectus includes adherence to the Senedd's Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015, addressing concerns about labour standards and carbon-intensive production.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Jerome Mayhew Con Broadland and Fakenham
Wales Business & Trade
Context

The MP asks about the development of freeports in Wales, focusing on steps taken by his department to support such initiatives.

Question

What steps has my Department taken to support the development of freeports in Wales?

Answer from Robert Buckland

My Department has worked alongside the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities to ensure that the freeport offer works for Wales. Over the summer, we successfully agreed a prospectus for Wales with the Welsh Government, which was launched in early September.

Partly answered
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Q2 Jerome Mayhew Con Broadland and Fakenham
Wales Business & Trade
Context

The MP seeks further details on how freeports in Wales can contribute to economic growth and regional development.

Question

Will the right hon. and learned Friend give further details on how freeports in Wales can help to level up local areas and their prosperity?

Answer from Robert Buckland

We are committed to establishing at least one freeport in Wales by the summer of next year, with £26 million in seed funding. The estimates for other freeports suggest they could create more than 18,000 jobs and provide a £3.2 billion boost.

Answered
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Q3 Geraint Davies Lab
Wales Business & Trade
Context

The MP raises concerns about freeports potentially undermining international labour standards and carbon-intensive production.

Question

What meetings has the Secretary of State had with the WTO about how freeports might undermine internationally agreed labour standards and carbon-intensive production?

Answer from Robert Buckland

I assure him that in the prospectus he will see a specific reference to the Senedd's Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015. Along with giving assurances as to our UK Government's standards, I can assure him that his concerns are unfounded.

Partly answered
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Q4 Jo Stevens Lab Cardiff East
Economy Wales
Context

The MP questions the progress of freeport development amidst frequent changes in UK government personnel.

Question

How is it possible to progress the Welsh freeports prospectus with such an appallingly chaotic and unstable UK Government ahead of the 31 October Budget announcement?

Answer from Robert Buckland

The fact that there may be changes in personnel does not change the Government's growth strategy, which remains on course and deserves the support of hon. Members on both sides of the House.

Not addressed: political instability in government

How: Changes In Personnel

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Q5 Jo Stevens Lab Cardiff East
Economy Business & Trade
Context

The MP expresses scepticism about the economic benefits of freeports, questioning their impact on tax revenue.

Question

Has the Secretary of State seen any evidence that proves his Government's claim that freeports create growth rather than just displace it?

Answer from Robert Buckland

I think of examples from the past in Wales, when inspirational Secretaries of State demonstrated that the economy could be transformed and regenerated through enterprise zones.

Not addressed: lack of evidence for growth claims

How: Historical Examples

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Q6 Liz Saville-Roberts PC Dwyfor Meirionnydd
Economy Wales
Context

The MP criticises the government's ideology, suggesting it will lead to reduced public service funding.

Question

With inflation now over 10%, what is the Secretary of State doing in the Cabinet to protect Wales's budget?

Answer from Robert Buckland

We believe that through initiatives such as freeports and investment zones, we will grow our economy which is how to pay for public services. I hope the Welsh public will note Plaid Cymru's ideological opposition to growth.

How: Ideological Attack

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Q7 Liz Saville-Roberts PC Dwyfor Meirionnydd
Economy
Context

The question follows previous statements by the Secretary of State about making cuts in public spending. The Glasgow Centre for Population Health reported that the last Tory austerity experiment led to 335,000 excess deaths.

Question

According to the Glasgow Centre for Population Health, the last Tory austerity experiment led to 335,000 excess deaths. How many excess deaths is the Secretary of State prepared to justify this time round?

Answer from Robert Buckland

We are not talking about so-called austerity; we are talking about ensuring that the money allocated in the public spending round that was agreed last year is spent efficiently and wisely. I said that it was right for each Department to look carefully at its priorities to ensure that frontline services—the sort of services in which I know she and I believe—are maintained for the benefit of the citizens whom we serve.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The number of excess deaths due to current spending cuts was not addressed.

How: Hyperbole, Efficiency And Wise Allocation Instead Of Direct Numbers

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