Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 3:17 pm on 28 March 2023.
We've been very clear in the bidding process, and in going through all of these stages, that the bids have to be able to match that—we've been very clear. That's why the regard to the future generations and well-being Act is in the bidding process—you won't find that in England—it's why the points about fair work—you won't find those in England—you won't find the points about the economic contract in Scotland either—that's a unique phase here in Wales—and the workers' collective forum as well. So, we're very clear about the sort of free-port activity that we're prepared to support and not, which is why we're at this point and why we don't have the same outline of what might happen in England.
For example, DP World, which is the company that was behind the sacking of all of those people in P&O Ferries—the unlawful sacking—well, they're apparently going to run a free port in Wales. I don't think they could demonstrate they'd meet all the criteria that we have for a free-ports process here in Wales. We're also going to benchmark where we are with economic activity, so we can actually understand where there's genuine growth and not simply displacement of jobs and other opportunities.