Scotland's Economy

Green ports letter to UK Government

March 24, 2021 by Ivan McKee MSP No Comments | Category Business, Economy, innovation

Trade Minister Ivan McKee has written to Chief Secretary to the Treasury Steve Barclay outlining his disappointment that the joint bidding process for green ports will not be launched ahead of the Scottish Parliament elections.

Full text of the letter:

Dear Steve,

Delivering green ports in Scotland

I am disappointed to have received no response to my letter to you of 12 March and indeed, to have had no communication from you since the end of February on this matter.

I am even more disappointed that we are now entering the pre-election period (PEP) in Scotland without being able to launch the green ports bidding process.

As you know, the Scottish Government has been clear in its ambition for a fair, sustainable green port model designed to help deliver on our net-zero emissions target and Fair Work First approach, and to support innovation and inclusive growth. We have been ready to launch the green ports bidding process jointly with the UK Government since 3 March, and following the UK Budget have stated on a number of occasions our desire to launch that process in advance of the start of the PEP in Scotland. Yet, without any real explanation, the UK Government has continued to delay that happening.

Industry stakeholders across Scotland have been very clear that the process in Scotland should launch as soon as possible in order to minimise any competitive disadvantage as a result of launching some months after the process for England.

Unfortunately we are now in a position that, as a result of the continued delay on the part of the UK Government in agreeing the final text for the applicant prospectus, this deadline has not been met.

As you will be aware, the restrictions of the PEP are such that government cannot publish the prospectus or launch the bidding process during that period – that includes the UK Government. As that will commence on 25th March, this can now only take place after the election in May, subject to agreement by the incoming administration.

But I want to be absolutely clear – should this government be returned, we will not support the imposition of any model here in Scotland that does not have the delivery of our ambitions for net zero emissions and a Fair Work First approach at its core.

Yours sincerely,

Ivan McKee

Tags: green port

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