More than 10 UK freeports a possibility, if bids to operate are 'high-quality'

© Lee Gillion

UK ministers have refused to commit to a deadline for announcing winning bids for planned freeports, but have said the first could be operational by the end of the year.

Chief secretary to the treasury Steve Barclay told the International Trade Committee he could not be more specific than that the outcome of the bidding process for developing at least 10 freeports would be made public “in the spring”.

“We are keen to have it announced and the projects delivered, but it ...