Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the UK-EU Trade and Co-operation Agreement, whether the Government’s policy on freeports formed part of the negotiating mandate for the UK negotiators.

The UK published its opening mandate in February 2020, this did not reference freeports directly. However, all our red lines on returning sovereignty have been achieved. The most important objective - in all policy areas, not just freeports- is for the UK to have genuine economic and political independence. The Agreement leaves us in full control of our laws and preserves policy space and flexibility, including creating Freeports which when developed will empower regions across the UK to become hubs for international trade and investment.