Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps she is taking to support maritime companies on attracting investment which helps transform UK ports into centres for manufacturing and assembly.

As an island nation, the UK’s Ports are a critical element of our national infrastructure. They facilitate the movement of 95% of all seaborne import and export tonnage, simultaneously aiding UK companies to achieve more sustainable, efficient and resilient supply chains, and driving coastal regeneration.

We recognise and welcome existing investment flows into the sector. For example, Teesport’s deal to become home to the UK’s first green lithium refiner which will help enable a domestic supply chain for electric vehicles and sustainable energy storage. Investments like these will create new jobs across the country and increase supply chain resilience.

As Government we are considering with industry and across departments how to enhance these important contributions through inward investment into new projects; with an emphasis on decarbonisation, and driving prosperity, in line with our commitments to Levelling Up, Freeports and Clean Growth.