Deprivation at English ports

English ports are in some of the most deprived areas of the country. The government’s plan to establish Freeports may be a well targeted way to transform not only the ports themselves but also their surrounding communities.

Ports in England are located in some of the most deprived communities. Of the major ports shown in the map above, all are within the 50% most deprived areas of England according to the Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD). Liverpool and Hull are the most deprived port cities, both being in the worst performing 10% of all English towns according the IMD.

The government is planning to establish ten Freeports in the UK (seven in England), which will facilitate and boost trade and investment through a range of fiscal and financial incentives. There are currently more than 3,000 Freeports operating around the world, and the UK’s model is focussed around regeneration and levelling up ‘left-behind’ communities. 

Case studies from around the world show that Freeports create thousands of high-skilled jobs, increase productivity and incomes, and attract a range of investments to improve the surrounding communities. It is hoped that similar effects will be seen in UK Freeports, improving the quality of life for residents and workers.