Green Freeports Programme: child rights and wellbeing impact assessment

Child Rights and Wellbeing Impact Assessment Template

1. Brief Summary

Type of proposal:

• Decision of a strategic nature relating to the rights and wellbeing of children

Name the proposal, and describe its overall aims and intended purpose.

The Green Freeports programme is designed to support businesses to create high-quality, well-paid new jobs; promote regeneration; and make a significant contribution to achieving the Scottish Government’s net zero ambition.

Green Freeports are defined areas that include a port, a rail connection or an airport. They comprise of up to three designated tax sites, within which businesses can benefit from a range of financial incentives (seed capital funding, as well as a range of devolved and reserved tax reliefs), and at least one customs site in which businesses can secure customs easements.

The UK Freeports policy and programme was set by the UK Government. In early 2022, Scottish and UK Ministers reached agreement on the principles for joint delivery of Green Freeports in Scotland – adapting the approach in Scotland to ensure a particular focus on the delivery of fair work and decarbonisation aims. The Scottish Government works closely with the UK Government to deliver the programme in Scotland.

The Green Freeports programme aims to deliver on four key policy objectives:

a. promote regeneration and high-quality job creation

b. promote decarbonisation and a just transition to a net zero economy

c. establish hubs for global trade and investment

d. foster an innovative environment

In 2023, following an open and transparent bidding process, two sites were selected for Scotland’s Green Freeports:

• Forth Green Freeport
• Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport

The two Green Freeports are consortia of partners led by an operating company and include the relevant local authorities, landowners and business partners. The Green Freeport consortia are each preparing a programme-level business case for review by the Scottish Government and the UK Government.

In support of the programme objectives, the Green Freeports are expected to create new, good quality and well-paid jobs in green industries, bringing opportunities to those in the locality and across Scotland. The Green Freeports will also work with partners to deliver activity that will support the success of the Green Freeports – including improved skills opportunities and local infrastructure.

Start date of proposal’s development:

The Scottish and UK Governments jointly agreed to deliver two Green Freeports in Scotland in 2022. Two locations were selected for Green Freeport development in 2023, subject to satisfactory business cases.

Start date of CRWIA process:

CRWIA consideration commenced on receipt of draft outline business cases from the Green Freeports in 2024, and has been revisited in Spring 2025 to reflect the updated position at full business case stage.

2. With reference given to the requirements of the UNCRC (Incorporation) (Scotland) Act 2024, which aspects of the proposal are relevant to/impact upon children’s rights?

The programme has no direct impacts on children’s rights and wellbeing.

The Green Freeports programme aims to increase the number of good jobs available in the selected regions – Forth, and Inverness and Cromarty Firth. The programme also seeks to enable new and enhanced skills opportunities, and to drive regeneration. The Green Freeports’ business cases will establish a high level agreement between the Scottish and UK governments, the Green Freeport operating company and the relevant local authorities on the overall direction of planned economic and regeneration activity.

Detailed proposals, e.g. for infrastructure improvements, or new or enhanced skills opportunities, will then be developed at the local level by the operating company, local authorities and relevant public and private sector partners. New, local level activity associated with the Green Freeport is expected to have positive impacts on people who live, study and work in the selected regions.

New, good quality jobs that pay the Real Living Wage, as well as new and improved skills opportunities, may be secured by parents and other caregivers – possibly resulting in an increase in household incomes. This could have a positive impact on the wellbeing of children and young people, and could potentially contribute to a reduction in the number of children living in poverty. In addition, young people may secure new jobs and skills opportunities as they progress through education and enter the workforce. These potential indirect, positive impacts are relevant to Articles 27 (standards of living), 28 (in relation to the availability of educational opportunities) and 29 (development of a child’s talents and abilities).

3. Please provide a summary of the evidence gathered which will be used to inform your decision-making and the content of the proposal

This assessment has taken account of the Green Freeports’ delivery proposals as set out in their business cases. In line with the Green Freeports Set-Up Phase Guidance, those business cases provide programme-level information on the overarching strategic vision for the Green Freeport as a whole – including aims to deliver new, good quality jobs, supported by plans to undertake activity to ensure the development of a skilled workforce.

Detailed plans for initiatives to deliver new jobs, skills opportunities and infrastructure investment will emerge at the local level in the months and years ahead and are therefore not part of the scope of this programme-level assessment.

4. Further to the evidence described at ‘3’ have you identified any 'gaps' in evidence which may prevent determination of impact? If yes, please provide an explanation of how they will be addressed.

No. The Green Freeports programme is currently in its Set-Up Phase. Detailed proposals for activity in relation to job creation and project delivery – including potential projects that will have impacts on skills and regeneration – have yet to be developed by the Green Freeports and their partners.

A lead local authority, with accountable officer responsibilities in respect of public spend, has been appointed at each Green Freeport. Further impact assessments will be undertaken as required on the detail of projects to be developed and delivered at the local level.

5. Analysis of Evidence

There are no known impacts on children’s rights and wellbeing as a result of this programme, and local level activity that could generate jobs and skills opportunities in future has not yet been developed, therefore there is no directly relevant evidence to consider.

6. What changes (if any) have been made to the proposal as a result of this assessment?

No changes have been made to the programme as a result of this assessment, as there are no known impacts on children’s rights and wellbeing.