Freeports

Infrastructure and Construction

Record date: 31 March 2026

Whole-life cost: £378.3m
Published schedule: 08/02/2019 – 05/04/2030
NISTA delivery confidence: Not disclosed
Senior responsible owner: Will Davis

What the project is for

The Freeports programme aims to catalyse private investment into the UK’s former industrial heartlands, helping transition regional economies towards the sectors of the future and create high-quality jobs for communities. All 12 Freeports are now “open for business”, offering a range of benefits to businesses looking to invest into the UK, including tax reliefs on specific sites, public seed investment (grants) to create investible propositions, and dedicated support for innovation and international trade.

Departmental delivery commentary

The SRO Delivery Confidence Assessment (DCA) rating at 25/26 Q4 remained at Amber. The rating recognises the Programme’s successful transition from set up into delivery. The most recent (April 2026) assurance review conducted by NISTA confirmed that the Programme has demonstrated substantial progress. All twelve Freeports across England, Scotland and Wales are now operational, with strong public accountable bodies and delivery bodies established, tax sites designated, and activity underway including early investment and business activity on the ground.

Schedule

Compared to financial year 24/25-Q4, the project's end-date at 25/26-Q4 increased from 31/12/2027 to 05/04/2030 to reflect delivery across Scotland and Wales. England remains unaffected.

Cost

The WLC has increased by £66m, due to seed capital grants forecast for Scottish Green Freeports and Welsh Freeports for financial year 2025/26 which are now incorporated within the whole life costs and adjustments for inflation in real terms.. In addition, programme costs have profiled into future financial years until 2029/30 in line with the programme end date.

Benefits

The Freeports programme is expected to deliver a range of long-term benefits, including regeneration, improved skills and labour market outcomes, enhanced infrastructure and transport connectivity, and environmental improvements. Current monitoring appropriately focuses on the delivery of outputs, with established mechanisms in place to track progress against funded activity. While these outputs provide early evidence of delivery, they do not yet represent realised benefits. Formal evaluation of benefits has therefore not yet been undertaken, reflecting the time required for outcomes to materialise. An impact evaluation is planned for later in 2026, with a full evaluation to follow.