Humber Freeport pitches £3 billion investment plan

An economic development zone is aiming to unlock thousands of jobs and billions of pounds of investment through a new development strategy.

Humber Freeport has launched a new Investment Prospectus at UKREiiF in Leeds, outlining development opportunities capable of attracting up to £3 billion of further investment and creating 5000 jobs over the next decade.

The prospectus highlights investment-ready sites across Hull, Goole and Immingham, spanning around 600 hectares and benefiting from Freeport incentives including business rates relief, Stamp Duty Land Tax exemptions and Employer National Insurance Contribution reliefs.

More than £2 billion of investment has already been secured across Humber Freeport tax sites since the initiative launched in 2023.

Projects already announced include LanzaTech’s sustainable aviation fuel facility at Saltend Chemicals Park and Metsä Tissue’s planned tissue paper mill in Goole, which is expected to become the UK’s largest.

Humber Freeport used the UKREiiF conference to showcase the region’s role in manufacturing, renewable energy and international trade through a panel discussion featuring Hull and East Yorkshire mayor Luke Campbell and Greater Lincolnshire mayor Dame Andrea Jenkyns.

Chaired by Ibrahim Mohamed, strategic advisor for the Department for Business and Trade, the session was hosted within the Connected Places Catapult Pavilion at UKREiiF.

Mayor Campbell said: “The Humber already plays a huge role in the UK economy, but this prospectus shows there’s a lot more we can achieve. 

“It sits alongside our Local Growth Plan, which builds on Hull and East Yorkshire’s strengths to create real opportunities for local people.

“I want to work together across the Humber to bring in new investment and back our local industries. 

“With combined authorities now in place, we have a chance to do exactly that and give residents and businesses confidence about this region’s future.”

Mayor Jenkyns added: “This year’s UKREiiF is a defining moment for Greater Lincolnshire. 

“It marks one year since I was elected to lead Greater Lincolnshire, and we are celebrating that anniversary with a massive statement of intent. 

“For the first time in our history, we have a full, powerhouse Investment Prospectus ready for the world to see.

“Greater Lincolnshire is the backbone of the United Kingdom. 

“We feed Britain, we power Britain, and we defend Britain. 

“We are one team, we are standing tall, and we are ready to outpace the competition. 

“Greater Lincolnshire is open for business; let’s get to work.”

As the panel highlighted, the Humber’s scale, industrial infrastructure and renewable energy capabilities position the region as a key destination for large-scale investment and energy security projects.

Humber Freeport chair Finbarr Dowling added: “The Humber has long been a place where industry, trade and ambition meet. 

“This prospectus highlights the many strategic advantages that position our region as one of the UK’s most compelling locations for industrial investment.

“Having spent more than three decades working in advanced manufacturing and inward investment, I’ve seen first-hand what this region can deliver. 

“The Humber has moved from vision to reality, attracting global businesses, building skilled workforces, and delivering projects at scale.

“Freeports are central to the UK Government’s Industrial Strategy and act as catalysts for growth and regeneration. 

“Our delivery-led model is focused on creating the skilled jobs and opportunities which empower communities and enable our region to thrive.”

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