Help to make Holyhead one of the new freeports
INEED your help! Help me campaign to make Holyhead one of the ten new freeports by completing the UK Government’s recently launched consultation survey.
I am committed to ensuring that Holyhead’s case is heard; I was recently elected the new Vice-Chair of the cross party APPG for Freeports.
A freeport in Holyhead would boost trade, jobs and investment for Ynys Môn and the whole of Wales. It could create hundreds of jobs and facilitate significant regional economic growth. This is your chance to make a difference. Whether you are a business or a voice in the community this is your opportunity to have your say.
As the UK Government seeks to enhance prosperity across the country by levelling up the economy and by seizing on the opportunities leaving the EU has presented, up to ten new innovative freeports will be opened across the United Kingdom.
A consultation has been launched setting out the Government’s vision for freeports, with the aim of announcing the location of the new zones at the end of this year so they can be open for business in 2021.
What is a freeport? A freeport is a special kind of port where normal customs and tax rules do not apply. Freeports are similar to ‘enterprise zones’ which are subject to special regulatory requirements, tax breaks and government support.
Freeports are part of the UK Government’s plan to regenerate some of the most deprived areas in the UK.
Why the port of Holyhead? Holyhead Port is the only 24 hour deepwater port in Wales and is the United Kingdom’s second largest port.
It already handles over half a million pieces of freight and almost two million passengers a year.
Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak, said: “Freeports will unleash the potential in our proud historic ports, boosting and regenerating communities across the UK as we level up. They will attract new businesses, spreading jobs, investment and opportunity to towns and cities up and down the country.”
The Secretary of State for Wales, Simon Hart, stated: “The development of freeports will create innovation hubs across the UK, generating new ideas in a whole host of UK sectors, from customs to transport to decarbonisation.”
Freeport status for Holyhead will bring significant economic opportunities to the island.
I want to campaign to ensure that Holyhead’s case to be one of the UK’s ten new freeports is brought to the heart of Government.
To do this I am asking for help from the people of Ynys Môn to ensure freeport status for the town is secured.
That is why I urge businesses and residents to engage with our consultation and help us to unleash our potential in innovation, investment and growth.
Working closely with the Welsh Government and businesses, we will ensure the whole of the UK can feel the benefits.
To help make Holyhead one of the ten new freeports I need help from the people of Ynys Môn.
If you would like to see freeport status for the town secured, please complete the Government’s online freeport consultation survey – by 11.59pm Monday, April 20 – all contributions will be hugely appreciated.
The consultation survey can be completed online at gov.uk/ government/consultations/ freeports-consultation.
Thank you!