Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the English Freeports selection decision note, published 17 March, whether he will publish the criteria and process used to evaluate which Freeport bids had greater alignment with Government policy.

The Freeports Bidding Prospectus set out a fair, open and transparent assessment process to select Freeport locations in England, informed by relevant experts across Government to ensure objective and robust assessment. The English Freeport Selection Decision-Making Note clearly outlines how decisions on the successful freeport locations, announced at Budget, were made. Unsuccessful bidders were offered feedback calls with officials to discuss the assessment of bids in more depth.