Responding to announcements made by the UK and Scottish Governments today (Friday 13 January) confirming winning bids for Green Freeports in Scotland, he said:

“This is great news for north Edinburgh, the city and the region as a whole. I want to congratulate everyone involved in what was a hugely impressive bid. The Forth Green Freeport will bring significant economic and other benefits to the region – most obviously in terms of new jobs, creating up to 50,000 in total, 11,000 of which will be here in Edinburgh.

“The project must be inclusive, benefiting local communities and providing proper pathways into work and learning for disadvantaged young people. I’ve made it clear that we need fair work, fair opportunities, with employers paying the real living wage, a unionised workforce and real benefits to the community to be central to the delivery of this project going forward. We’ve already had good conversations with Forth Ports and partners on the importance of working together to achieve our goals, including building more much needed affordable homes.

“Our extension of Edinburgh’s tram line to Newhaven will soon be live, unlocking many areas in the North of the city for long-term investment and regeneration while providing residents with fast and carbon friendly transport links. Plus, our £1.3 billion green vision for Granton Waterfront is creating a brand new sustainable coastal community, with jobs and thousands of net zero homes. The whole coastline has huge potential as we develop our city and address the climate emergency and, clearly, the Scottish and UK Governments agree.

“Through the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal we’ve already achieved massive success working collaboratively with our neighbouring councils, with central government and with the private sector. I’m looking forward to similar success unlocking a whole east-west corridor of net-zero economic growth with all the partners on the Forth Green Freeport.”