Humber Freeport has welcomed the Government’s Industrial Strategy, which placed freeports at the centre of its growth plans.
The Strategy, accompanied by a standalone ‘UK Freeports Programme Report,’ said freeports have “played an important role in building the foundations for long-term regional and national growth.”
The Government has brought the Freeports Programme, alongside Investment Zones, under a new joint banner of Industrial Strategy Zones, reflecting the pivotal role they will play in driving investment into high-growth sectors including advanced manufacturing and clean energy.
The two programmes have made significant early strides, having already secured £6.4 billion of private investment, with much falling in the Industrial Strategy’s priority sectors.
The Government said Freeports and Investment Zones are expected to generate more than £50 billion of private investment, supporting the creation of skilled, well-paid jobs and thriving communities across the UK.
Professor Neal Juster, Interim Chair of Humber Freeport, said: “Humber Freeport welcomes the Government’s Industrial Strategy.
Professor Neal Juster, Interim Chair of Humber Freeport
“We support the concept of Industrial Strategy Zones and streamlining delivery, and along with initiatives such as the Strategic Site Accelerator and Recycling Growth Fund, it places Freeports very much at the centre of government policy on growth.
“We look forward to working together with both the Government and our region’s elected Mayors to bring even more success to the Humber.”
Across the 12 UK freeports, £6.4bn of private investment has been pledged in tax sites. Almost 90 per cent of that is foreign direct investment.
Clean energy leads the way for investment in freeport sites – equating to £2.6bn – closely followed by ports and maritime, advanced manufacturing, engineering and construction.
The Freeports Programme Report showcased Mitsubishi Chemicals Group as a flagship investment in the Humber. Mitsubishi has committed to invest £250m in a new production at its site at Saltend Chemicals Park, just outside Hull.
The site is located within the Hull East freeport tax site. The second production line will create dozens of new jobs while safeguarding more than 100 existing roles.
The expansion of Siemens Gamesa’s offshore wind turbine blade factory in Hull was also highlighted as being at the heart of the Humber’s emergence as a clean energy hub.
In the Government’s Clean Energy Sector Plan, as part of its Industrial Strategy, Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said: “The clean energy transition is the economic opportunity of the 21st century.
“It is our chance to build up the industries of the future right here at home. In our industrial heartlands and coastal communities, there is an enormous opportunity to build the energy industries of the future and create the good jobs at good wages that people have long demanded.
“From blade manufacturing in Hull to new nuclear in Somerset, Carbon Capture Usage and Storage in Scotland, floating wind off the coasts of Scotland and Wales, and fusion in the East Midlands we will deliver the benefits of our Clean Energy Superpower Mission to communities up and down the country.”
- Read the Government’s 2025 UK Freeports Programme Report here: gov.uk/government/publications/uk-freeports-programme-report-2025
- Read the full Industrial Strategy: gov.uk/government/publications/industrial-strategy
