Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Anglesey Freeport: North Wales Economy

Tuesday 19 December 2023 · 3 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Anglesey freeport will regenerate communities by attracting new business, spreading jobs, investment, and opportunity in North Wales.
  • The Department is working closely with the Welsh Government to extend tax relief windows in Wales for freeports.
  • Anglesey freeport may create up to 5,500 jobs and attract a 1 billion investment.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Virginia Crosbie
Economy Wales Business & Trade
Context

The question follows an initial assessment request on the potential economic benefits of Anglesey freeport in North Wales. The MP seeks clarity on the government's plans for tax reliefs and investment.

Question

What recent assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of Anglesey freeport on the economy in North Wales?

Answer from Jeremy Hunt

Anglesey freeport will be a national and international hub for trade, innovation and commerce, regenerating communities by attracting new business, and spreading jobs, investment and opportunity. We are working closely with the Welsh Government to extend tax relief windows in Wales.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The response does not provide a specific recent assessment or detailed figures on the economic impact of Anglesey freeport.

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Q2 Virginia Crosbie
Economy Employment Wales
Context

Building on initial questions about Anglesey freeport, the MP inquires about specific commitments related to tax relief extensions and economic forecasts.

Question

Does he agree that if those extensions are realised in Wales, it will give companies the confidence to invest and help deliver the £1 billion investment, and thousands of jobs forecast for our Anglesey freeport? Will he join me in thanking all those at the Isle of Anglesey County Council and Stena Line who worked so hard recently to submit the outline business case?

Answer from Jeremy Hunt

We think Anglesey freeport may create 5,500 jobs. We are working closely with the Welsh Government to extend the 10-year window to claim reliefs across freeports in Wales. I pay tribute to my hon. Friend for putting Ynys Môn on the map.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The response does not confirm the exact extension of tax relief windows or provide a clear timeline for job creation and investment commitments.

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Q3 Andrew Bridgen Con
Economy Business & Trade
Context

The MP questions the appropriateness of placing a freeport in North West Leicestershire, given its already high economic growth and low unemployment rates.

Question

Putting a freeport in North West Leicestershire, which already enjoys some of the highest economic growth in the country, has low unemployment, and is capable of filling its industrial sites without incentives, makes little sense. Will the Chancellor agree to meet me to discuss better alternatives for the east midlands than the Diseworth freeport site?

Answer from Jeremy Hunt

I would be happy to ask one of my colleagues to meet the hon. Gentleman to discuss why freeports are not appropriate in his part of Leicestershire.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The response does not commit to a direct meeting with the Chancellor but offers an alternative via another colleague, avoiding addressing the specific alternatives requested.

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