The Scottish government will progress with its own plans to develop a green port model to meet the specific need of Scotland's economy.

Business Minister Ivan McKee made the announcement after he received a letter from the Secretary of State for Scotland Alister Jack, stating that UK Ministers would not commit to implementing green ports in Scotland that are underpinned by fair work conditions and net-zero ambitions.

Business Minister Ivan McKee said: "I have been clear that any model implemented in Scotland must include a firm commitment to conditionality around fair work and net-zero. These are central tenets of Scotland's future economy and principles we cannot compromise on. The UK Government's offer does not reflect this, provide fair set-up funding, or indeed recognise the vital role the real living wage plays in secure pay and employment contracts.


"It is difficult to comprehend why UK Ministers would seek to dilute a strong commitment to fair work, including payment of the real living wage, when seeking to implement their freeport policy in Scotland. With just weeks to go before COP26, the UK Government should be working with us to help deliver a net-zero economy given both the Scottish and UK Government have statutory targets to meet on reducing our carbon emissions.

"The Scottish Government therefore has no option but to take forward plans to further develop our green port model which meet the specific needs of Scotland's economy."