Freeports and SEZ Special Economic Zones and Energy
Freeports and SEZ Special Economic Zones and Energy
The Scandal of Freeports,
Special Economic Zones,
Energy
Two of the founding members became aware of email exchanges between Kate Forbes MSP and Michael Gove in the summer of 2022 discussing the implementation of Freeports in Scotland. There had been no public discussion about Freeports and they were not in the SNP manifesto for the 2021 Scottish election.
What followed was months of research into what these Freeports were, who was behind them, and what they would mean for Scotland. We didn’t like what we were reading, particularly in relation to the flagship Teesside Freeport.
If Freeports were the golden goose, wouldn’t they be all over the news telling Scots of the economic benefits, boasting about the jobs and prosperity they would bring to the communities and Scotland as a whole? Why was there silence and secrecy from the Scottish government?
We also knew by this time most Scots were unaware of what was coming our way. What could we do to get the word out? We talked about holding protests and demos. But what would that achieve? No one would come because only a dozen or so of us were talking about it.
So we decided to set up a campaign group and hold public meetings across Scotland, primarily within both Freeport zones, the Cromarty & Inverness Freeport area and the Forth Freeport.
The first public meeting was in Inverness in August 2023.
We will be back in Inverness in October this year for our third meeting there and our 16th public meeting. In addition, we have held stalls at AUOB and HoF rallies, and delivered a presentation at the SSRG Conference in Dunfermline in May 2025.
This website aims to put all the information we have on Freeports, SEZs, Investment Zones, Windfarms, the Energy Superhighway, Solar Farms, Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and more, into an easily accessible place to reach more people than public meetings ever could.
Separating the information we have into just Freeports and SEZs would only tell part of the story. The green energy project runs through all the zones. Governments at all levels from Local Authorities, Scotgov and Ukgov, provide funding, legislation and involvement with corporations and conglomerates which is woven through all of these projects.
SEZs are areas where businesses receive tax breaks, simplified regulations and other incentives to boost economic activity. In the UK the most recent iteration of SEZs include Freeports, Green Freeports in Scotland, and Investment zones. These zones are financed with public, local and national funding, and private investment.
The website aims to put the information we have on Freeports. SEZs – Special Economic Zones, Windfarms, the energy Superhighway, solar Farms, battery energy storage Systems (BESS) and more, into an easily accessible place to reach more people than public meeetings ever could.
Separating the information we have into just Freeports and SEZs would tell only part of the story.
The green-energy iniative spans every zone, receiving support from government bodies at all levels – local authorities, the Scottish Government, and the Uk Government. funding, legislation, and active participation from corporations and conglomerates are woven throughout each project.
There are two freeports and two SEZs – Special Economic Zones in Scotland
Freeports :
Forth Inverness and Cromarty
SEZs:
Glasgow and south west Aberdeen and North East
Freeports – advantages – provide specific benefits like low tariffs, optimized customs processes, and a business-friendly framework that stimulates local economies and attracts global players.
Special Economic Zones – advantages
are strategically established to boost economic development through innovative regulations, enticing tax perks, and robust support systems that enhance international commerce. Similar to the rules in freeport.
But what benefit to the local community. What safeguards. What accountability.
Will they deliver on their promises ofeconomic regeneration, particularly in postBrexit Britain? Previous experience with big projects like this suggest not. They can benefit the people if correctly controlled and organised. However, people’s trust in government is low, and the people must hold our elected representatives to account.
We are to raising the awareness of everyone in Scotland to the potential risks and consequences of each government regime being introduced right across the United Kingdom. They are surrounded in secrecy
This is complex and its challenging to work out what exactly is going on.
What can you do?
We are committed to raising the awareness of everyone in Scotland to the potential risks and consequences of each of these government regime(s) being introduced right across the United Kingdom. They are surrounded in secrecy.
Stay updated:
• Join Us in Exploring the Impact of Freeports.
• Unlock insights on economic zones and their risks.
• Discover how these changes affect your community.
• Engage with initiatives that advocate for fair policies.
