Leith risks losing out to Aberdeen in race for free port status, claims MSP

Supporters claim free port status would boost Leith's economy and create jobs

LEITH could lose out to Aberdeen if it does not bid to become one of ten “free ports” Boris Johnson wants to set up across the UK in the wake of Brexit, an MSP has claimed.

Free ports - zones designated as effectively outside a country’s borders for tax purposes, meaning the goods can be manufactured, imported and exported without facing tariffs or customs duties - are billed by the UK Government as a way to boost regeneration and create thousands of jobs, though critics have warned of the risk of crime and money-laundering.

Lothian Tory MSP Miles Briggs said the initiative could bring economic benefits to Leith, Edinburgh and the surrounding area, but claimed Aberdeen already seemed to have taken the lead in the race to win free port status.

Critics fear the tax and duty benefits would lead to crime and money-laundering

As long ago as June last year there were reports that Boris Johnson was privately considering giving Aberdeen or Peterhead free port status

And Aberdeen South Tory MP Ross Thomson tweeted in September that he had been talking to International Trade Secretary Liz Truss about making the Granite City a free port after Brexit.

Mr Ross described Aberdeen as “perfectly positioned” for such a bid and said he had discussed the idea with the harbour board, who were interested, and the local council, who were also keen.

Mr Briggs has written to Forth Ports to ask their position on seeking free port status for Leith.

Forth Ports says it is looking at the potential opportunities and benefits

He said: “My understanding is there will be one in Scotland and Aberdeen is the one making the most noise. We need to start looking at this potential opportunity and whether or not we want to grab it.

“Given Edinburgh and south-east Scotland are the only part of the Scottish economy which is growing and given most of the population lives within the central belt, surely there has to be a strategic discussion on the future of goods coming into Scotland and on whether Leith would be best for that.

“If it’s something that’s going to benefit the economy locally and create jobs we should all be fighting for it. If we see the potential for this, we collectively need to start making the case before we miss the boat.”

Forth Ports chief executive Charles Hammond said: “Forth Ports are looking at the potential opportunities and benefits that our current or future customers may obtain from Freeport status at any of our locations. We are engaging with the relevant Government departments and industry organisations as the thinking around Freeports is further developed.”