Green Freeports Programme: equality impact and Fairer Scotland Duty assessment

Background

The purpose of the Green Freeports programme is to support businesses to create high-quality, well-paid new jobs; promote regeneration; and make a significant contribution to achieving our net zero ambition.

The UK Freeports policy and programme was set and is led by the UK Government. In early 2022, UK and Scottish and UK ministers reached agreement on the principles for joint delivery of the UK Freeports Programme in Scotland - Green Freeports.

The Scottish Government works jointly with the UK Government within the UK Government Freeports framework with some adaptations, in particular in relation to the Scottish Government’s Fair Work First policy and decarbonisation, to deliver the Green Freeport policy.

Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport and Forth Green Freeport have been selected jointly by the Scottish Government and UK Government as the locations for Scotland’s Green Freeports through an open, transparent and competitive process.

The Green Freeports programme is expected to mainly affect people within the outer boundaries and wider travel to work areas of both selected Green Freeports, with some benefits extending across Scotland and the wider UK. The outer boundary of Forth Green Freeport covers the Forth estuary and the outer boundary of Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport includes Inverness, the Black Isle, the Moray Firth and Cromarty Firth and surrounding areas. Maps of both Green Freeports have been published.

Direct and indirect benefits of the programme could include increased direct and indirect employment (through wages and supply chain), reducing unemployment, and supporting inclusive growth by targeting disadvantaged communities with training and engagement. Green Freeports also support regional development through improved infrastructure, economic integration and net reduction of carbon emissions, which is expected to improve overall quality of life.