Greens MSP Ariane Burgess Highlands and Islands MSP calls out "failed and dated Tory gimmick" of freeport status

Freeports are a failed and dated Tory gimmick that will only benefit the super-rich and major corporations, claims Highlands and Islands Scottish Greens MSP Ariane Burgess.

This comes as the UK and Scottish Governments have announced Inverness Cromarty Firth is one of two green freeports to be established in Scotland.

Freeports are an excluded area in the cooperation agreement between the Scottish Greens and Scottish Government.

Highlands and Islands Scottish Green MSP Ariane Burgess said: "The Scottish Greens have been clear that freeports, as proposed by the SNP and Tories, do not offer the long-term, sustainable investment Scotland's rural communities need. Instead, the venture gives tax breaks and public money to private companies and promotes a race to the bottom on pay and conditions for workers.

“I'm disappointed that the Highlands - an area that has built up a strong track record for thriving social enterprise and innovative rural businesses generating money for the local economy - is going to see much-

needed economic development funding going instead to enrich wealthy shareholders and benefit tax havens instead of local communities."

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