Tag: Department for Levelling Up

The press release issued by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities on 12 April 2023.

New proposals will introduce a requirement for planning permissions for short term lets in tourist hot spots.

New rules to give communities greater control over short-term lets in tourist hot spots, while also strengthening the tourism sector, have been unveiled by the Government today.

A consultation published today by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities will propose introducing planning permission for an existing home to start to be used as a short term let – helping support local people in areas where high numbers of holiday lets are preventing them from finding affordable housing.

It will also consider whether to give owners flexibility to let out their home for up to a specified number of nights in a calendar year without the need for planning permission.

Short-term lets are now a significant part of the UK’s visitor economy.

They provide increased choice and flexibility for tourists and business travellers, and also those attending major sporting and cultural events.

The Government wants to ensure the country reaps the benefits of diverse and sustainable accommodation and support the visitor economy, while also protecting local communities and ensuring the availability of affordable housing to rent or buy.

Secretary of State for Levelling Up Housing and Communities, Michael Gove said:

Tourism brings many benefits to our economy but in too many communities we have seen local people pushed out of cherished towns, cities and villages by huge numbers of short-term lets.

I’m determined that we ensure that more people have access to local homes at affordable prices, and that we prioritise families desperate to rent or buy a home of their own close to where they work.

I have listened to representations from MPs in tourist hot spots and am pleased to launch this consultation to introduce a requirement for planning permissions for short term lets.

The new proposals come as the Department for Culture Media and Sport also launches a separate consultation on a new registration scheme for short-term lets.

The scheme aims to build a picture of how many short-term lets there are and where they are located, to help understand the impact of short-term lets on communities.

The DCMS consultation follows a call for evidence held earlier in the year, the results of which are published today and indicate broad support for a registration scheme across the sector.

Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer said:

This new world of ultra-flexible short term lets gives tourists more choice than ever before, but it should not come at the expense of local people being able to own their own home and stay local.

The Government wants to help areas get the balance right, and today we have an incomplete picture of the size and spread of our short term lets market. This consultation on a national registration scheme will give us the data we need to assess the position and enable us to address the concerns communities face.

The government has listened to calls from local people in tourist hotspots that they are priced out of homes to rent or to buy and need housing that is more affordable so they can continue to work and live in the place they call home. The proposed planning changes would support sustainable communities, supporting local people and businesses and local services.

The proposed planning changes would see a planning use class created for short term lets not used as a sole or main home, alongside new permitted development rights, which will mean planning permission is not needed in areas where local authorities choose not to use these planning controls.

Both of these measures are focussed on short term lets, and therefore the planning changes and the register will not impact on hotels, hostels or B&Bs.

The register of short term lets is being introduced through the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill, which is currently going through Parliament.

Subject to the outcome of the consultation, the planning changes would be introduced through secondary legislation later in the year and would apply in England only.

The press release issued by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities on 4 April 2023.

A new taskforce to help improve housing options for older people will be headed by Professor Julienne Meyer.

Professor Meyer, a leading expert in care for older people, will chair the Older People’s Housing Taskforce, spearheading work to support the growth of a thriving older people’s housing sector across the country.

The taskforce will work across housing, heath, and care sectors to drive an increase in the volume and range of housing options and make recommendations to the Government.

The appointment was unveiled as part of the government’s Adult Social Care Implementation plan published by the Department for Health today.

Housing Minister Rachel Maclean said:

Making sure older people can access the right homes that meet their needs later in life is a government priority. And by unlocking more housing for older people, we can also have a hugely beneficial impact on their health and wellbeing.

I am very excited to have Professor Meyer leading this taskforce, as we radically improve the choices available to older people, whether that’s retirement housing or support to help people live independently for longer.

Older People’s Housing Taskforce Chair Professor Julienne Meyer said:

I am delighted to be leading the taskforce, an opportunity to make a real difference to the lives of older people. Working between housing, health and social care will be critical to its success and I’m looking forward to advising government on proposals that give older people more choices in later life.

The taskforce will run for up to 12 months and will produce an independent report to DLUHC and DHSC Ministers, with interim findings available after 6 months.

The panel is expected to include up to 14 members with expertise from the social and private retirement sector, local government, adult social care, and from investors and developers.

Professor Meyer co-founded My Home Life, an international collaborative initiative to promote quality of life in care homes for older people. A former nurse, she has led research in care for older people at City University of London for 23 years. During her career, she worked in a variety of different settings (health, social care, and housing; general and mental health; primary, secondary, and tertiary care).

Professor Meyer will work with the government to finalise the Taskforce membership and the group’s Terms of Reference, with a first meeting to take place by Spring once all members are confirmed.

This work will be taken in partnership with the Department of Health and Social Care, building on the commitments set out in DHSC’s adult social care reforms today.

The press release issued by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities on 4 April 2023.

A £73 million scheme to improve peoples’ life chances has been extended as Government increases support for vulnerable people.

• Changing Futures Programme extended until 2025 to support England’s most vulnerable adults
• £7 million additional funding for local areas to provide world class support services designed to meet each person’s unique needs
• Part of government’s commitment to improve life chances of people facing disadvantage

A £73 million scheme to improve peoples’ life chances has been extended as Government increases support for vulnerable people.

Local areas participating in the Changing Future programme will now have an extra year to deliver pioneering support services to people facing multiple issues including mental ill health, homelessness, drug and alcohol misuse and domestic abuse.

The extension to the programme, which launched in 2021, is backed by £9.5 million from the government’s Shared Outcomes Fund.

The programme is designed to overcome challenges adults face in receiving support from the NHS and local support services. It focuses on bringing together the work of local councils, charities and support services into easily accessible teams that can better cater for a person’s range of issues, rather than them having to seek separate support for each area of their life.

New research from the government, published today, shows that Changing Futures is reaching those most in need, with nearly 7 in 10 people on the programme having experience of more than one mental or physical health issue.

Minister for Housing and Homelessness, Felicity Buchan said:

“The Changing Futures programme is making a difference to thousands of lives up and down the country – helping us reach some of the most vulnerable people and giving them the specialist support they need to improve their lives.

“The extension and funding we are announcing today will help support even more people and I look forward to seeing what other long lasting changes local areas can deliver for these individuals.”

Changing Futures is co-funded and run in conjunction with the National Lottery Community Fund.

David Knott, Chief Executive of The National Lottery Community Fund, said:

“The Changing Futures programme is showing that – when equipped with the right tools and support – vulnerable people facing multiple disadvantage can make significant changes to improve their lives and have a positive impact on the communities they are part of.

“As joint funder, we have seen first-hand the difference this programme has made since 2021. I welcome the Government’s plans to extend it and am excited to see what comes next.”

Examples of local initiatives funded by the programme include:

• A new service in Surrey which uses the latest developments in trauma support  for women dealing with domestic abuse
• A specialist mental health and wellbeing team in Essex for individuals who have struggled to access mainstream health services.
• Specialist workers in Nottingham to help people get the support they need with links to specific GP, mental health and housing support

Anna Smith – Bristol Changing Futures Programme Director, said:

“I am proud to be leading the Changing Futures programme in Bristol. It is wonderful to see agencies from across the city working in partnership to trial different approaches to working with people facing Multiple Disadvantage.

“By taking a My Team Around Me approach with our clients, we aim to end the revolving door which sees them lose trust in the system and disengage from services and support them to independence.

“We welcome today’s announcement and look forward to hearing more about what it means for Bristol.”

Areas receiving support include Essex, Westminster, Sussex, Surrey, Bristol, Plymouth, Nottingham, Stoke-on-Trent, Hull, Sheffield, Leicester, Northumbria (Northumberland, Newcastle, Gateshead, North Tyneside, South Tyneside, and Sunderland), South Tees (Middlesbrough, and Redcar and Cleveland), Lancashire (Blackpool, Lancashire, and Blackburn with Darwen) and Greater Manchester.

Case study from the Changing Futures programme:

• Jane was referred into the Changing Futures partnership in Essex as she had been making daily use of emergency services.
• She had entrenched complex needs, including mental ill-health and alcohol misuse, and her traumatic past experiences meant she had difficulty trusting professionals.
• Regular multi-disciplinary meetings, including with her GP, Essex Alcohol Recovery Community, the Mental Health & Wellbeing Team and a local homeless charity, meant the teams could identify the best ways to support Jane.
• Jane was successful in reducing her alcohol use, which has had a positive impact on her mental and physical health.

The press release issued by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities on 30 March 2023.

East Midlands Freeport fully operational after final government sign off.

New high-quality jobs and much-needed investment for the East Midlands region will be unlocked today, as the East Midlands Freeport receives final government sign off.

The Freeport will now receive up to £25 million seed funding from government and potentially hundreds of millions in locally retained business rates to drive growth in the UK’s advanced manufacturing, biomanufacturing, logistics, and low carbon industries.

It will help encourage investment into sectors including automotive, space, and satellites sectors, generating thousands of jobs and boosting the local economy.

This is the seventh Freeport in England to become fully operational, with just one more expected to get final government sign off in due course. Four new Freeports have recently been named in Scotland and Wales.

The East Midlands Freeport is uniquely positioned as the only inland Freeport in England, with connections to major regional transport hubs, such as the East Midlands Airport.

Levelling Up Minister Dehenna Davison said:

The East Midlands has a thriving manufacturing sector and we want to capitalise on those strengths while also developing new green growth industries.

The East Midlands Freeport, the only inland Freeport, is up and running and will bring high quality jobs, investment and trading opportunities for businesses in the region.

This will help us deliver on our mission to grow the economy and level up right across the UK.

Taking full advantage of the freedoms of leaving the EU, businesses in Freeports are offered generous tax incentives and a simplified customs procedure, unlocking much-needed investment and high-quality jobs.

Steve Griffiths, East Midlands Airport’s Managing Director, said:

As the ‘port’ within the Freeport, we welcome today’s news. The Freeport will provide a focal point around which the public and private sectors can collaborate to shape the future economic success of this region. We look forward to working as part of the East Midlands Freeport to make the most of this opportunity and to build on our role as a key gateway for facilitating global trade.

East Midlands Freeport estimates that it will generate over 28,000 new jobs and is already home to world-leading multinational companies, like Toyota Manufacturing UK, and East Midlands Airport – the UK’s busiest ‘pure’ cargo airport.

• The Ratcliffe-on-Soar Power Station site will focus on low-carbon energy and advanced manufacturing, and be redeveloped to become a zero-carbon technology and energy hub for the East Midlands, helping to meet the region’s decarbonisation goals.
• East Midlands Airport and Gateway Industrial Cluster (EMAGIC), home to the East Midlands Airport, will advance the nation-leading advanced logistics market in the East Midlands.
• East Midlands Intermodal Park (EMIP), located adjacent to the nationally significant Toyota manufacturing plant, has the potential to become the next generation of rail connected business parks. The proposed investment will also enable a significant modal shift, from road to rail freight, reducing carbon emissions for businesses within the region and increasing connectivity.

The government’s Freeport programme is moving at pace, with seven sites now fully operational in England, already creating thousands of jobs. The Government confirmed Celtic Freeport in Milford Haven and Port Talbot, and Anglesey Freeport on Ynys Mon chosen as Wales’ first Freeports recently. In January, the Government confirmed two new Green Freeports in Scotland to be established in Inverness and Cromarty Firth and Firth of Forth.

Freeports are central to unleashing economic growth across the entire UK, contributing to the levelling up mission. They will drive the UK’s shift to a dynamic, low-carbon economy, helping businesses to collaborate, innovate, and develop the technologies and supply chains that will underpin our journey to Net Zero.

The press release issued by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities on 29 March 2023.

A new bill introduced today will support businesses by modernising the business rates system to incentivise property improvements.

A new bill introduced today (Wednesday 29 March) will support businesses by modernising the business rates system to incentivise property improvements and support more frequent revaluations.

The measures being put forward review and reform business rates in England, making them fairer and more responsive to changes in the market.

The Non-Domestic Rating Bill will introduce more frequent valuations, to take place every three years instead of the current five, meaning those with falling values will see their bills drop sooner.

It will also provide new business rates improvement relief, so businesses making qualifying building improvements will not face higher business rates bills for 12 months. This will make it easier for businesses to invest with new reliefs for property improvements, providing tax breaks for businesses who are extending or upgrading their property.

Local Government Minister, Lee Rowley MP said:

The introduction of our Non-Domestic Rating Bill seeks to deliver the reforms announced during our Business Rates Review.

We are bringing the administration of the tax up to date, and making the system more responsive to changes in the economy and introducing new support to reduce barriers to business investment.

This is another step in the right direction for making sure the UK continues levelling up and supports businesses to grow and flourish.

The bill will build on recent steps to cut business rates, with £13.6 billion of support announced at the Autumn Statement, and to redistribute the tax through the 2023 revaluation.

Victoria Atkins, Financial Secretary to the Treasury, said:

I want businesses to know that the government is on their side. Businesses have asked for changes to the business rates system and we are acting, including with more frequent revaluations to make the system fairer and more responsive.

And they come on top of £13.6 billion of business rates support which resets the balance between bricks and clicks businesses, helping our much-loved high streets and communities.

Melanie Leech, Chief Executive at the British Property Federation, said:

These measures are a welcome step towards creating a business rates system that is fair for all. The British Property Federation has long-called for more frequent revaluations to help ensure the level of rates payable reflects current market conditions and structural changes in the economy.

A move from five to three yearly revaluations is a marked improvement, and we would like to see Government continuing to strive towards even more frequent revaluations in due course. The introduction of a business rates improvement relief is also a welcome boost as property owners and occupiers work together to decarbonise and futureproof older buildings and support the UK’s journey to net-zero.

Helen Dickinson OBE, Chief Executive of the British Retail Consortium, said:

Retailers welcome moving to three-yearly revaluations, meaning business rate bills will reflect underlying market conditions more quickly. Changes to valuation appeals processes and more transparency are also vital and the improvement relief will encourage more retailers to invest in their properties. These are all positive changes, but the job is not done. Government’s focus must remain on reducing the rates burden, enabling more local communities across the country to thrive.

The Non-Domestic Rating Bill has been informed by the Business Rates Review, which ran from July 2020 to October 2021.

The Bill has been introduced in parliament and will be debated in due course.

The press release issued by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities on 27 March 2023.

New measures to revitalise high streets including tougher enforcement powers for councils and unlimited fines for irresponsible landlords.

Local people and businesses will be helped to take control of empty shops blighting high streets, Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Michael Gove has announced today, as part of plans to revitalise high streets and tackle anti-social behaviour.

Councils will be armed with new powers through High Street Rental Auctions to take control quickly of empty buildings, giving communities and local businesses the opportunity to bid for the chance to rent shops.

High Street Rental Auctions will breathe new life into boarded-up shops and ensure high streets do not fall into disrepair, whilst giving more opportunities for local businesses to expand and thrive.

The Anti-Social Behaviour Action Plan, published today, will make £2 million available to help communities and local businesses take control of these properties by covering the cost of refurbishing properties, the auction and council fees. Bringing pride of place back to areas is not only key to tackling anti-social behaviour but is also a key part of the government’s plan to level up across the country.

Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Michael Gove said:

Too many high streets which were once the beating hearts of our communities have fallen into disrepair and are now blighted by boarded-up shops, broken windows and anti-social behaviour.

We are putting this right through our Anti-Social Behaviour Action Plan which will give communities the power to breathe new life into their high street, ensuring that empty shops can be rented out to local people and community groups.

This is all part of the government’s mission to level up across the country and restore pride in our communities.

Research shows that anti-social behaviour is the main reason people do not feel safe in their local area and seeing empty shops and buildings adds further to the sense of community decline.

But a review of current complex leasing laws – led by the Law Commission – will further remove barriers to accessing property and help small businesses to occupy properties quicker and reduce the number of empty shops on high streets, boost the local economy and bring more jobs to areas.

Up to 172,000 commercial properties are empty across the UK and 8 in 10 of these have been vacant for more than two years. The North East and West Midlands have the most shuttered shops, with over 15% properties empty, resulting in hollowed out town centres.

Other measures include:

• Cracking down on those that exploit vulnerable people by taking control of their property for criminal activity, or ‘cuckooing’, by consulting on making it a criminal offence
• Unlimited fines for irresponsible landlords and building owners who allow their properties to fall into disrepair and for anti-social behaviour to thrive
• Giving councils more powers to move in quickly when houses are left vacant – cutting the timeframe from when they can act from two years of a building being empty to six months

A new £2.5 million High Street Accelerator programme will empower and incentivise local people to work in partnership to develop a long-term vision for revitalising high streets so they are fit for purpose. Accelerators will bring together residents, businesses, and community organisations to develop and deliver a long-term vision to tackle the causes of persistent vacancy on the high street. This will initially run in up to 10 pilot areas with more details set out in due course

Making sure high streets are designed with safety and deterring anti-social behaviour in mind is key – a consultation will explore whether the National Planning Policy Framework should consider measures such as CCTV and extra lighting.

This builds on the work that is already being done to level up, revitalise communities, refresh town centres and support local jobs and businesses by investing: £2.35 billion across 101 Towns Deals, £830m across 72 successful Future High Streets Fund bids, and £3.8 billion via the Levelling Up Fund to regenerate town centres and high streets.

Work already being done to revitalise high streets includes:

• Bringing empty properties back into use in Goole Town Centre through the £4 million Towns Deal
• Transforming Leyland Town Centre with £16 million from the Towns Deal to regenerate buildings and bring empty shops back into use
• Creating space for up to 50 new businesses at the Merseyway Shopping Centre in Stockport with £14 million through the Future High Streets Fund
• Future proofing Whitechapel Road, at the heart of Tower Hamlets with £9 million from the Levelling Up Fund to support the economy
• Creating new shop fronts, pavements and benches with £5 million from the Levelling Up Fund to regenerate the Glengormley and Antrim town centres

The press release issued by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities on 25 March 2023.

Ukrainian Ambassador thanks British people for standing ‘shoulder to shoulder’ with Ukraine.

The government has hailed the British public’s generosity and their enduring commitment to freedom one year on from the first Homes for Ukraine arrival.

In a video message today (25 March), the Ukrainian Ambassador to the UK has also thanked those who have given sanctuary through the UK’s Homes for Ukraine scheme, one of the fastest, biggest and most generous visa programmes in British history.

Since the scheme’s launch 117,700 Ukrainians have been invited into the homes and hearts of thousands of family homes up and down the country. With the war still continuing there are now many Ukrainians looking for re-matching and sponsors are urged to come forward.

New government data, published this week shows more than 28,300 Ukrainians of working age (16-64) were in paid employment within around six months of their arrival.

To strengthen the support for Ukrainians to settle into their new homes the government is providing the following:

Per capita funding for councils for each new arrival including £150 million to support guests into their own homes and extended as well as increased ‘thank you’ payments for sponsors

£11.5 million towards intensive English language courses and employment support for up to 10,000 individuals to boost the number of Ukrainians entering the labour market and to help those already employed into higher-skilled roles, this is in addition 20,500 Ukrainian children currently attending local schools

£100m for 145 councils in England by the end of March as part of the £500m Local Authority Housing Fund to help obtain, repurpose or build housing for arrivals on resettlement programmes.

This also comes ahead of this weekend’s England v Ukraine EURO 24 qualifier at Wembley, with 1,000 free tickets offered to Ukrainians and their sponsors.

Levelling up Secretary, Michael Gove said:

“One year on from the first person arriving in the UK under our Homes For Ukraine Scheme I remain incredibly proud of this country’s response, with the British public having shown their true generosity of spirit and their enduring belief in freedom.

“Ukrainians have embraced every aspect of their new lives in the UK – sending their children to local schools, entering the jobs market and working on their English language skills. This is proof not only of the immense bravery and resilience of the Ukrainian people but the huge value they are bringing to our communities.”

Ukrainian ambassador to the UK, Vadym Volodymyrovych Prystaiko said:

“I am honoured and humbled by your countries generosity and am grateful to all the local councils and all the families who have opened up their homes, their hearts and sometimes wallets to Ukrainians fleeing from the horrors of war.

“160,000 Ukrainian women and children have reached British shores and have been welcomed in your communities and schools. But some still need your help. The unprovoked and unjustified war still rages in the Ukraine and I ask those who can, please come forward and offer your support.”

Homes for Ukraine sponsor, John from Richmond said:

“I’m very glad that I have been able to provide sanctuary for two people who would otherwise be suffering greatly in Ukraine.

“It’s a big commitment for sure but I try not to overthink it. Consider what a gift you are providing to someone escaping from an unbearable situation, possibly in fear of their life. I am very glad that I decided to become a host. I would encourage anyone else considering giving it a try.”

The Department recently wrote to all those who have previously expressed interest in becoming Homes for Ukraine hosts to thank them for coming forward to offer their help in rematching Ukrainian families with hosts. Those hosting Ukrainians who have already been in the UK for over 12 months will be entitled to the increased thank you payments.

The Local Authority Housing funding was previously announced in December, to support Ukrainian and Afghan arrivals into independent accommodation before eventually providing a new and permanent supply of housing for local communities across England. The fund is designed to help support communities which have been particularly generous in welcoming new arrivals, and will build a sustainable stock of affordable housing for the long term future.

£10.55m has already been given to councils, with an expected £122.5m of further payments expected by the end of March, providing up to 4,000 homes by 2024.

Under the Homes for Ukraine scheme, Ukrainian arrivals are awarded the right to work in the UK for up to three years from arrival and are entitled to the same benefits and support as UK nationals.

The press release issued by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities on 23 March 2023.

Appointment of the interim Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman and Chair of the Commission for Local Administration in England.

This letter confirms the appointment of Paul Najsarek as the interim Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman by His Majesty the King, on the advice of the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities. The letter also confirms his appointment as Chair of the Commission for Local Administration in England, the official body which runs the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman service.

This interim appointment has been made for a term of 6 months from 1 April 2023. A recruitment campaign for a permanent Ombudsman is underway and is expected to conclude in autumn 2023.

Text of Letter (in .pdf format)

The press release issued by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities on 23 March 2023.

The UK and Welsh governments jointly confirm that two new Freeports, one in Anglesey and one in Port Talbot and Milford Haven, have been successful in their bids.

Two new Freeports, one in Anglesey and one in Port Talbot and Milford Haven, will help to create jobs, drive growth and level up opportunities across Wales, the UK and Welsh governments have jointly announced today (Thursday 23 March).

The new sites are estimated to bring forward almost £5 billion in private and public investment and create over 20,000 new, high-skilled jobs, backed by up to £26 million each in UK Government funding. This will help to boost the economy and address gaps that are currently holding back investment.

Freeports are special areas within the UK’s borders where different economic regulations apply. Alongside a comprehensive package of benefits, the sites will enjoy tax and customs incentives to boost investment, creating thousands of high-quality jobs in some of our most disadvantaged communities.

The Prime Minister will meet with the First Minister Mark Drakeford as part of ongoing joint working to deliver for people across Wales.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said:

Wales is a thriving part of the UK, and today’s new Freeports will see businesses and opportunities for people in and around Anglesey, Port Talbot and Milford Haven go from strength to strength.

Everyone deserves equality of opportunity and working closely with the Welsh Government has helped to deliver these fantastic new sites.

Today’s Freeports show the hard work being done day in, day out to bring new, high-skilled jobs to communities across Wales and deliver on my promise to grow the economy.

First Minister of Wales, Mark Drakeford said:

I am pleased to confirm the Celtic Freeport in Milford Haven and Port Talbot and Anglesey Freeport have been selected as Wales’ new freeports.

The Welsh Government has a clear economic mission to transform the Welsh economy, creating a stronger, fairer and greener future. The designation of these sites as Wales’ first freeports will reinforce that mission, building on the significant investments and partnerships we have made in these regions over many years.

The joint working between governments on the freeport programme should serve as a blueprint for future intergovernmental work on a whole range of issues.

Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove said:

Wales has huge untapped potential, and that’s why we have worked in partnership with the Welsh Government to agree not one but two Freeports for Wales.

This is the result of both governments working together to deliver for Wales, providing yet another example of Wales benefiting from its place in a strong United Kingdom.

I am absolutely confident these new Freeports will be transformational for Wales, helping to grow the economy, level up and spread opportunity.

Secretary of State for Wales, David TC Davies, said:

The creation of two Freeports in Wales is absolutely fantastic news and a huge boost to Wales, growing the economy and creating thousands of jobs.

The UK Government and this Prime Minister have long been committed to expanding Freeports to Wales and we have more than delivered on that pledge with the two successful bids confirmed today.

The Freeports programme is already benefitting businesses and levelling up communities elsewhere in the UK. I look forward to seeing greater investment and prosperity delivered for Wales as a result of this announcement.

Wales’ Economy Minister, Vaughan Gething, said:

I would like to congratulate the Celtic and Anglesey teams for their exceptional bids to be awarded freeport status. Due to the compelling set of proposals presented to us, I have agreed with the UK Government that a second freeport in Wales can be supported.

Our ports are an intrinsic part of our rich industrial history. They will be an engine room of our future economy and these bids are designed to accelerate that journey. From off-shore energy to advanced manufacturing, they will help create tens of thousands of new jobs – which will support our highly ambitious plans to reach net zero by 2050.

This will help harness our abundant economic potential domestically and internationally, whilst promoting fair work and sustainability here in Wales.

I look forward to seeing our freeports delivering meaningful economic and social benefits for Wales.

Anglesey and Celtic Freeports will support businesses to create high-quality, well-paid new jobs, promote growth and regeneration, and make a significant contribution to achieving the UK’s net zero ambitions.

• Anglesey Freeport aims to attract £1.4 billion worth of investment in the green energy sector and create at least 3,500 jobs, generating half a billion in additional Gross Value Added by 2030. The Freeport will have a focus on marine energy technology and low carbon energy and will embark on a variety of infrastructure programmes including the Holyhead port redevelopment and the restoration of the railhead and track.
• Celtic Freeport aims to attract significant inward investment including £3.5 billion in the hydrogen industry as well as the creation of 16,000 jobs, generating £900 million in Gross Value Added by 2030. The Freeport will focus on low carbon technologies like floating offshore wind, hydrogen, carbon capture, utilisation and storage and biofuels to support the accelerated reduction of carbon emissions. This will be supported by the development of land and quayside space and bringing a disused railhead back into operation, to enable infrastructure to support development.

The UK Government’s Plan for Wales commits to strengthening Wales’ place at the heart of a prosperous UK, growing the economy, levelling up and spreading opportunity right across Wales.

Bidding opened earlier this year and groups submitted their proposals for Freeport status, which were jointly considered by the UK and Welsh governments. As part of the process, the successful locations had to demonstrate to officials and ministers from both governments how they would regenerate local communities, establish hubs for global trade and foster an innovative environment to support levelling up.

A rigorous joint selection process was followed with the successful applicants both showing a strong determination to create high quality jobs in the green energy sectors.

The UK and Welsh governments will work closely with the Freeports to ensure they deliver maximum positive impact and become operational as soon as possible.

This builds on the UK Government’s successful Freeport programme in England, where all 8 Freeports are open for business, and collaboration with the Scottish Government to deliver two new Green Freeports in Inverness and Cromarty Firth and Firth of Forth. As announced in the Budget, the UK Government also aims to establish at least one Investment Zone in Wales, which will work hand in hand with the Freeport programme to generate sustainable economic growth and level up communities in Wales and across the UK.

The Government will also work with the unsuccessful bidder to consider how they can build on the plans set out in their bids to deliver jobs and growth in their region outside the Freeports programme.

The press release issued by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities on 21 March 2023.

The Levelling Up Secretary and Mayor Andy Burnham have signed a landmark deeper devolution deal for Greater Manchester putting more cash and power in the hands of local leaders.

Levelling Up Minister Dehenna Davison and Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, along with the ten local council Leaders, have today (21 March) signed a landmark deeper devolution deal for Greater Manchester, marking a seismic shift in power, funding and responsibility from Whitehall to the region.

The deal puts more cash and power in the hands of local leaders to invest in the priorities that local communities truly care about, such as better bus and train services, skills and housing.

A new long-term funding settlement will enable the Mayor and the Combined Authority to plan for the long term, with certainty, and unlock tangible benefits for almost 3 million people living in the area.

Levelling Up Minister Dehenna Davison said:

I’m proud to have agreed a historic and trailblazing new devolution deal with the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, providing the Mayor with more powers, money and an even greater say on how this iconic region is run.

This is the very essence of devolution – leaders taking decisions and being accountable to the communities they serve.

Covering everything from Bee Network buses to affordable home building, this deal will give leaders the opportunity to deliver economic growth, better services and high quality jobs for people in Greater Manchester.

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham said:

I’m really pleased to welcome Levelling Up Minister Dehenna Davison to Greater Manchester to sign what is the seventh devolution deal for our city-region – but this is by some way the deepest. This Deal takes devolution in the city-region further and faster than ever before, giving us more ability to improve the lives of people who live and work here.

I have always been a passionate believer in the power of devolution, and I’ve been in the privileged position of being able to exercise those powers and make a positive difference to people’s lives.

We’ve worked hard to secure this Deal and have achieved a significant breakthrough by gaining greater control over post-16 technical education, setting us firmly on the path to become the UK’s first technical education city-region; new levers and responsibilities to achieve fully integrated public transport including rail through the Bee Network by 2030; new responsibilities over housing that will allow us to crack down on rogue landlords and control over £150m brownfield funding; and a single block grant that will allow us to go further and faster in growing our economy, reducing inequalities and providing opportunities for all.

With more power comes the need for great accountability and I welcome the strengthened arrangements announced in the Deal.

We will continue to engage with government moving forward on other areas we’d like to see more local control over in the future which will help us to continue to improve life for people in Greater Manchester and those visiting. For now, our focus will be on getting ready to take on the new powers and be held to account on the decisions we will be making on behalf of the people of Greater Manchester. The signing of this deal marks a new era for English devolution.

The deal confirmed today deepens existing powers which have already delivered significant wins for the region. New measures include:

• A new long-term funding settlement, including the right to retain 100% of business rates for 10 years and 25-year business rate retention in designated growth zones.
• A wide-ranging partnership with Homes England, with a commitment to work towards investing £400m in Greater Manchester by 2026.
• Further support for regeneration and infrastructure with £150m of brownfield funding, £3.9 million to eliminate the use of bed and breakfast accommodation for homeless families in Greater Manchester and £10 million to support levelling up and growth priorities for Greater Manchester.
• A new rail partnership with Great British Railways to support the delivery of the Bee Network by 2030.
• New ‘pay as you go’ ticketing pilots across the region and better integration of local stations.
• More oversight and control over adult skills funding and more responsibility over developing and delivering careers advice.
• Devolution of funding to retrofit buildings, to bring down energy bills for households across Greater Manchester.
• A new partnership with national arts and culture organisations to harness Greater Manchester’s globally renowned cultural strengths.
• Tools to support the roll-out of high-speed broadband across the region.

Alongside these powers, a new framework will ensure that decision-makers in areas with devolution deals are accountable to their residents and deliver value for money, with a clear ladder of intervention to respond to underperformance.

The milestone comes days after Greater Manchester was announced as one of 12 new Investment Zone areas backed with £80 million over five years including generous tax incentives to drive local growth.