Tees Valley Freeport

Published Wednesday, 3rd March 2021

The Leader of Hartlepool Borough Council has welcomed the Chancellor’s budget announcement that the Tees Valley is to be granted Freeport status.

Councillor Shane Moore said: “It’s wonderful news the Tees Valley is to become home to the first and biggest Freeport in the UK and this will of course include the Port of Hartlepool.

“The Tees Valley’s bid was based on our strengths in clean growth and I believe today’s announcement means investment that may have gone elsewhere will now come to our region.

“Freeport status will also harness the power of the Tees Valley’s highly skilled workforce, and our established and emerging industrial clusters.

“This will not only be realised in the actual Freeport itself, but will have significant impacts in all five council areas, through sourcing from local supply chains and targeted recruitment campaigns.”