Henry Smith
MP has reiterated his backing for the proposed Gatwick Freeport as the bid is
officially submitted to the Government earlier today (Friday, 5th
February).
Proposals
sent to ministers by the Coast to Capital Local Enterprise Partnership would
place the ‘Gatwick Freeport’ in the Manor Royal Business Improvement District
in Crawley.
With Gatwick
Airport traffic declining by 93 per cent due to the devastating Covid-19
pandemic impact, the Crawley MP, who last year established and continues to
chair the Future of Aviation All-Party Parliamentary Group, has thrown his
support behind the proposals.
Henry said;
“Gatwick along with Manor Royal are important drivers for the local economy and employment which also represents a significant net contribution to the UK as a whole.
“However the Covid-19 pandemic is at real risk of levelling down the area, therefore with the now opportunities of global Britain, a Freeport based on Gatwick and Crawley’s Manor Royal business district has the real potential to build back better, stronger and more diverse, enhancing regional and national wellbeing.
“This is a plan I’ve been pleased to champion in Parliament and I whole-heartedly back the bid!”
Last month
in a question to the Exports Minister, the Crawley MP urged the Government to
support the Gatwick Freeport proposal.
Freeports
are an important part of the Government’s post-Brexit agenda for international
trade, with successful bids benefiting from generous tax reliefs, simplified
customs procedures and wider government support.
These new
hubs of business and enterprise will create thousands of jobs, regenerating
communities and turbocharging Britain’s growth.
The project
reiterates the importance of Crawley to the local and wider economy. The Manor
Royal Business Improvement District provides 30,000 jobs (40 per cent of
Crawley’s total employment), with the town providing 45 per cent of all
employment in the Gatwick Diamond.
The Manor
Royal Business Improvement District is already home to a number of high tech,
high innovation businesses such as Thales, LG and Elekta.
Freeport
status would support the safeguarding and creation of jobs, and help the
recovery of the aviation sector.
The Local
Enterprise Partnership and Manor Royal have secured the support of not only the
local MP, but West Sussex County Council and Crawley Borough Council as well.
Proposals could be developed immediately if the bid is approved, leading to big
rewards for the local economy.
The
Government are expected to announce 10 successful bids by spring of this year.