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

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what discussions his Department has had with local authorities on the potential merits of supporting maritime projects through the Levelling-Up and Shared Prosperity Funds.

The maritime sector is a crucial part of our heritage and modern economy. Officials from my department have consistently engaged with local authorities on the design and scope of both the Levelling Up Fund and the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).

While it is up to local authorities what they wish to support with their UKSPF allocation, both UKSPF and the Levelling Up Fund are able to support and benefit maritime organisations and projects across the UK.

My department is also forging ahead with delivering new Freeports across the UK - these are special areas centred on ports of all modes that will enjoy access to a generous suite of tax incentives, customs facilitations, public funding, and government support, helping them harness the power of private investment to spread jobs and prosperity.