MPs to quiz Gove on delivery of freeports scheme
5 January 2024
Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove will appear before MPs next week in an evidence session on the Government’s freeports and investment zones policy.
- Watch ParliamentTV: The performance of investment zones and freeports in England
- Inquiry: The performance of investment zones and freeports in England
- Business and Trade Committee
The session is part of the Business and Trade Committee’s inquiry into freeports and investment zones in England. Freeports and investment zones relax rules on taxation within specific areas, based around ports and universities respectively. The Government says this will help stimulate growth in the wider region.
MPs are likely to quiz Mr Gove how this latest policy will drive regional growth, how it differs from previous efforts, and how likely the Government’s package of incentives are to create additional jobs in the selected regions over moving them around the UK.
They may ask how the scheme fits within other local growth policies, such as Enterprise Zones, Innovation Accelerators, and City Region Transport Settlements, and whether devolved authorities have the capacity to deliver these projects.
MPs may also ask the Secretary of State how his Department will ensure the freeports and investment zones deliver transparency and value for money, and how the Government’s progress and delivery will be scrutinised.
Witnesses
Wednesday 10 January, Committee Room 8, Palace of Westminster
From 10.30am
- Rt Hon Michael Gove MP, Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities and Minister for Intergovernmental Relations
- Lord Dominic Johnson of Lainston CBE, Minister of State (Minister for Investment), Department for Business and Trade
Further information
Image: UK Parliament