SCOTLAND - NOT FOR SALE

Aberdeen and North East  

 

 

Investment Zone   (SEZ)    

North East Scotland Investment Zone - NESIZ

LThe North East Scotland Investment Zone (NESIZ) is one of Scotland’s two Investment Zones, selected jointly by the UK and Scottish Governments in June 2023. Its geographical basis is the Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire regional economy, and its present sectoral focus is green industries and digital technology, particularly opportunities associated with floating offshore wind, green hydrogen and wider green-energy technologies

The original programme announcement referred to support of up to £80 million over five years. The subsequent Scottish Investment Zone model was expanded to a 10-year programme with an overall £160 million envelope. Importantly, this does not mean £160 million of conventional grant expenditure: the estimated cost of tax incentives chosen by the region is deducted from the £160 million envelope, leaving the balance available for flexible programme expenditure. Non-Domestic Rates Retention sits outside that £160 million envelope.

25 0905 aberdeeen invstment zone image

Two councils, Aberdeen city and Aberdeenshire council form the Special Economic Zone for the North east along with ONE – Opportunity North East.  

Both councils contribute to the investment zone alomg with Uk and Scottish governments.

Tax incentives and lower tariffs.

Taxpayers money beng used to help finance the investment zone but as yet unclear what return the council can anticipate for their “investment”

Principal features

  • Aberdeenshire Council is the designated Accountable Body for NESIZ;
  • Aberdeen City Council and Aberdeenshire Council have created a statutory North East Scotland Investment Zone Joint Committee under sections 56 and 57 of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973;
  • the Joint Committee became operational by March 2026;
  • each council supplies three elected members;
  • Opportunity North East (ONE), the University of Aberdeen and Robert Gordon University have formal representation;
  • Scottish Enterprise and ETZ Ltd participate as non-voting representatives;
  • a Programme Board provides officer/executive programme governance below the Joint Committee;
  • substantial delegated authority rests with Aberdeenshire Council’s Head of Planning and Economy, who is also Chair of the Programme Board and Lead Officer for NESIZ;
  • a programme-management structure/PMO supports delivery;
  • three statutory tax sites were designated from 26 February 2026: Aberdeen Energy Transition Zone, Peterhead Port and Peterhead Upperton; and
  • a specific Tax Site Management Policy governs eligibility and administration of investment proposals within those sites.

  • NESIZ and the Aberdeen City Region Deal are separate programmes.

  • NESIZ’s Joint Committee became operational in March 2026. The programme had reached the Delivery Gateway stage 

So whats the problem

 

Special economic Zones 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 freeports.

 

But what benefit to the local economy?            What safeguards?           What accountability?

 

Will they deliver on their promises of economic regeneration, particularly in post Brexit Britain?

Previous experience with big projects like this suggest not. They can benefit thee 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 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

Accountable Body

Aberdeenshire Council is the Accountable Body.

Under the national Investment Zone framework the Accountable Body is not simply a payment conduit. It is accountable for ensuring successful delivery of programme interventions and must put robust arrangements in place even where particular statutory levers belong to another authority or organisation.

Government flexible funding is therefore channelled through Aberdeenshire Council.

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