Ynys Môn MP Virginia Crosbie has said Freeport status for Holyhead “would create a hub of enterprise across the island”.

Virginia heads up the Anglesey Freeport Bidding Consortium alongside M-SParc, Bangor University, Stena Line, Anglesey County Council and the North Wales Economic Ambition Board.

She has spoken to the Welsh Secretary of State Simon Hart about clinching the status and she continues to speak to other government departments.

Locations made a Freeport would benefit from generous tax reliefs, simplified customs procedures and wider government investment support to boost the local economy.

“Anglesey’s bid for Freeport status would create a hub of enterprise across the island, fanning out from the port of Holyhead,” Mrs Crosbie told MPs in Parliament.

“As the only bid in north Wales, and the only bid in Wales to include a university, the Freeport would attract major new employers, bringing permanent employment and boosting the supply chain across the whole of north Wales.”

Virginia also pledged during this week's Coronavirus: Supporting Businesses and Individuals debate that she would continue to push the government for levelling up funds to help the island and especially young people, who are often forced to leave for work.

“My constituency has seen underinvestment and the loss of major employers for decades, and I will be fighting to ensure that all my constituents have a future and are a major beneficiary of the UK Government’s key manifesto commitments to level up the social and economic playing field across the UK," she said.

“Ynys Môn can play a key role in the build back better recovery of the UK by embracing the UK Government’s levelling up agenda.”

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