Alongside our partners PA Consulting, WSP has acted as a key advisor to the UK Government’s Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities on the development and set-up of the UK freeports programme. Announced in early 2021, freeports seek to address embedded issues of sub-regional economic underperformance, while boosting the UK’s international trade and providing a platform for industrial innovation, especially in renewable and future energy systems. Our team has provided advice and analysis across a wide range of topics, including industry sector prioritisation, business case, economic impact assessment, implementing tax incentives and measuring tax benefits, as well as planning policy and complex site development. The work has required ongoing interaction with both national government and individual freeports.