PEMBROKESHIRE politicians have been urging the government to approve the Celtic Freeport Bid as the decision on the multi-million pound scheme looms.

Stephen Crabb, MP for Preseli Pembrokeshire hand delivered a cross-party letter of support for the Celtic Freeport Bid directly to the Chancellor of the Exchequer ahead of the budget (15th March).

The letter which is signed by MS’s and MP’s from all parties has continued to gather momentum and support since the bid was submitted by the public-private sector consortium which includes the Ports of Port-Talbot and Milford Haven last November.

Now with over 100 supporters from Tata Steel and RWE to Manufacturing Wales and the South Wales Industrial Cluster all backing the bid, the MP was keen to demonstrate to the Chancellor the strengths of the bid and the potential that it has to unlock much need investment in the region.

Recognising the economic potential of the Celtic Freeport bid, the Pembrokeshire MP has been one of its most diligent champions along with the Labour MP for Aberavon. If successful, it will accelerate new green industries such as Floating Offshore Wind (FLOW) in the Celtic Sea and hydrogen production – triggering investment in the region of £5.5 billion and creating over 16,000 high-quality green jobs.

Stephen Crabb MP has spent the last 4 months making the case for securing the Freeport for south west Wales with Ministers, in national media and in the House of Commons. The Conservative Preseli Pembrokeshire MP and Labour Aberavon MP, Stephen Kinnock, co-hosted a drop-in briefing session for MPs and Peers to hear direct about the Celtic Freeport bid which helped secure the signatures on the letter delivered to the Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, from cross-party members who attended the meeting.

Stephen Crabb MP said, “I’ve enjoyed introducing fellow MPs and peers to the Celtic Freeport bid, and speaking up about the scale of the opportunity, how the benefits can be secured for Wales and why the case for Floating Offshore Wind is so compelling.”

“I wanted to use the opportunity to meet with the Chancellor to hand-deliver the letter of support signed by both Welsh and Parliamentary colleagues across all parties which is what makes the bid so powerful.”

“We want to secure as many benefits as possible for south west Wales by unlocking investment, jobs and skills to create a lasting economic legacy which will benefit future generations. And the MPs backing the bid so far recognise that this bid is the launch-pad to achieving this new era of manufacturing and green jobs – we just need the Chancellor to recognise it too.”

A cross-party letter of support for the Celtic Freeport bid has been also been delivered – this time to the Office of the First Minister,

The letter, which has been signed by a host of Members of Parliament and Senedd Members, was delivered to the First Minister’s office by Celtic Freeport champions Samuel Kurtz MS, Senedd Member for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire and David Rees MS, Senedd Member for Aberavon.

An imminent announcement over Wales’ first freeport is due to be made over the next several weeks by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and First Minister Mark Drakeford.

If successful, the Celtic Freeport is set to deliver £5.5 billion of new investment; 16,000 new high-quality green jobs, and £1.4 billion in port infrastructure facilities across Pembrokeshire and Neath Port Talbot.

Speaking of his support for the Celtic Freeport campaign, local Senedd Member for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire Samuel Kurtz MS said:

“With a decision due imminently, this is the final push to ensure that decision-makers know of the enormous benefits that a Celtic Freeport will bring to our region.

“Over the last several months, I’ve been fighting hard to make sure that we’re successful. At every opportunity I’ve had, I have been banging the drum for the Celtic Freeport with my colleagues in the Welsh Parliament and the House of Commons.

“If successful, then this bid will transform our communities, bring about thousands of jobs for local people,deliver billions in investment and help us reach our net zero targets. This really is an opportunity that cannot be missed.”