For the last time Labour MPs, Mayors, councillors, Lords, and Baronesses were board members of Sunak's nationwide Freeports/SEZs consortia. Former FM Mark Drakeford, Andy Burnham, Steve Rotheram all signed off on this Tory initiative. I will not be ordered to be quiet about this by Labour voters.
Private Eye have been raising concerns for years & the economic case hasn’t been made
6 days into office Rachel Reeves has refused the National Audit Office to investigate England's 48 SEZs and 8 Freeports, the House of Commons Committee's April 2024 reports cited lack of transparency, ignoring Nolan principles, and value for taxpayers money. www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/teessid...
Rachel Reeves said she wanted to work with Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen and also addressed jobs, child poverty and local council funding
I was very disappointed by Drakeford signing up for this
Sorry to take this back to the beginning, but I think it is important to understand what your reservations about freeports are. Is it the opacity and risk of illegality, or do you have concerned about the published principles of the freeports?