The UK Government has been told it should reconsider its decision to snub a Glasgow bid to be one of the country’s freeports to boost the economy and create jobs

The Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, announced that Cromarty and Fort would be given the freeport status to give it tax incentives to attract investment

The two beat other bids including a Glasgow Region bid involving the airport, Mossend Rail Freight terminal and the River Clyde.

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The bid architects said it was overlooked despite being the “strongest” and with the potential to create tens of thousands of new jobs and benefit disadvantaged communities in desperate need of investment.

Jim Logue, Leader of North Lanarkshire Council, who was part of the bid team, said: “Our bid was by far the strongest, not just in terms of the 30,000 new jobs to be created here and the bold decarbonisation plan that would support national net zero targets, but also in terms of the impact on local businesses and on the Regional and wider Scottish and UK economy. We are extremely disappointed.”

The Glasgow City Region bid team set out plans to create tens of thousands of new jobs in areas with high levels of deprivation, with almost 40% of Scotland’s most deprived communities based within the proposed Clyde Green Freeport area.

It claimed the proposals would attract £2.5 billion of capital investment, transform nearly 600 hectares of vacant and derelict land in key locations and provide an £18 billion uplift in Gross Value Added.

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Mr Logue added: “We would ask Ministers to review our bid, and to consider granting a further Green Freeport in Scotland on the Clyde to ensure the benefits to Glasgow City Region are not lost and that investment, jobs and opportunity don’t go elsewhere.”

Business leaders were also disappointed by the decision.

Stuart Patrick, Chief Executive of Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, said: “We are incredibly disappointed with today’s announcement on the Green Freeport bid.

“The Clyde Green Freeport set out ambitious plans, contributing significantly to creating high-quality job opportunities, sustainable and inclusive economic growth, and regenerating the areas which need it most.

“With a focus on private and public-sector investment in research and development, the bid was designed to bring together innovators to collaborate, develop and trial new ideas and technologies.

“The loss of the bid marks a significant blow for Glasgow. However, it is critical that we apply further pressure on other projects where key investment can bring job creation and reinvent entire industries across Glasgow and the West.”