Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what powers he has impose financial support for new ferry routes as a condition for companies seeking to operate Freeports.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer given to Question UIN 2213 on 20 November 2023.

Freeports are not operated by individual companies, but are a partnership of key public and private stakeholders coming together to deliver durable economic growth for their regions.

Private sector operators provide services to meet wider passenger or freight demands and so, new ferry routes are developed on a commercial basis.

More information pertaining to Scottish Green Freeports can be found as this link.