EDWARD MOUNTAIN: Green freeport is a 'big boost for the Highlands and our local economy'
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2023 has begun with a big boost for the Highlands and our local economy. I am delighted with the Prime Minister’s announcement last week of Green Freeport Status for the Opportunity Cromarty Firth (OCF) bid. This is a huge win for all those involved in the project.
I have championed OCF’s cause since its launch, lobbying ministers in both the UK and Scottish Government to ensure this bid was top of their list.
The merits of OCF were clear for all to see. Cromarty Firth is already ideally placed as a vital support hub for offshore energy projects and it is taking a central role in the construction of large offshore wind projects. Achieving Green Freeport status will only build on these firm foundations.
Indeed, I believe the creation of a free trade zone in the Cromarty Firth will enable the Highlands to attract more investment and create high-skilled local jobs. That’s exactly what we need during these challenging times.
This could be truly transformational for the Highlands too, securing our position as a green energy capital for years to come as well as helping Scotland and the wider UK achieve our ambitious energy security and net zero goals.
Overall, I welcome the joint approach taken by the UK and Scottish Governments in the rollout of Green Freeports – it shows how working together can lead to lasting positive change.
We now need to ensure that this new Green Freeport delivers all the benefits that it offers to the Highlands and I will do everything I can to help this happen.
I am also continuing to campaign for maternity provision across the Highlands to be improved to ensure more births can happen locally.
That’s not been the direction of travel so far, with recent plans proposing to have more Moray mums relocate to Raigmore Hospital to give birth – known as the Model 4 Option.
Having frequently met with Raigmore’s maternity staff, I recognise their deep concerns about these plans which would be far from safe without the necessary additional staffing, funding and facility upgrades.
This was the point I made to the SNP’s Health Secretary in the last debate of 2022 at the Scottish Parliament. I along with my Scottish Conservative colleagues called on Humza Yousaf to drop the Model 4 proposals and instead prioritise the return of consultant-led maternity unit at Dr Gray’s.
I am therefore delighted that Humza Yousaf has finally listened to clinicians and heeded the calls to drop the Model 4 option.
This is far from the end of the story though. I will continue to press Humza Yousaf for more clarity on how he will support the upgrading of Raigmore’s maternity unit, and I will also press for a review of Caithness Maternity Services too.
