Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Education on the potential effect of the Humber Freeport on the availability of seafarer apprenticeships in (a) Hull and (b) the Humber region.

The Chancellor has not met with the Secretary of State for Education to discuss Freeports since the bidding process closed on the 5 February, in line with the government’s commitment to the fair, open and transparent assessment process outlined in the Bidding Prospectus.

Our focus has been on getting places to send us their bids and proposals, rather than second-guessing what they will do. The government will continue to work with successful bidders to help them achieve their objectives, across a variety of sectors.