Port of Milford Haven’s Post

“Labour’s manifesto makes a strong statement for growth in the UK; a National Wealth Fund, planning reforms, a new industrial strategy with clean energy at its centre. This all sounds incredibly exciting and it is desperately needed. However, it’s less clear, at this stage, how all of this will actually be achieved, and what it might mean for the East of England.” As James Palmer Chair of the Eastern Powerhouse outlines: “The lack of recognition for the East in the manifestos from the two main parties shows more than ever why the East needs an Eastern Powerhouse to provide a voice for the region. We will continue to put the case for investment in our region with whoever forms the next government.” Read the Eastern Powerhouse’s full response: https://lnkd.in/exExpimN

Forth Ports is pleased to announce as a major partner, that from today, the Forth Green Freeport is officially open for business. This is an important day for all partners and businesses involved, as the tax sites go live. You can read more about this below, link in comments. #forthgreenfreeport #economy #communities

Interesting read of the week: Unveiling "Project Wickenby", Australia's Epic Battle Against Offshore Tax Evasion Back in 2006, a collaborative initiative was born in the heart of Canberra, "Project Wickenby". This cross-agency task force, comprising the ATO, AFP, ASIC, and others, was a testament to the collective will to protect Australia's financial integrity from the shadows of offshore tax evasion. Their mission is to unravel and dismantle the intricate webs of deceit woven across secretive jurisdictions. As years passed, Project Wickenby grew in stature and ambition. Audits and investigations multiplied, revealing staggering truths hidden behind corporate facades and private accounts. By its conclusion on 30 June 2015, Project Wickenby had achieved remarkable milestones: - Over $2.2 billion in tax liabilities raised. - 4,520 audits completed, scrutinising every loophole and false claim. - 76 individuals charged, their fates sealed in courtrooms where justice met evasion head-on. - A total of $985.67 million was recouped, a testament to the persistence and the pursuit of financial integrity. Having achieved its goals, Project Wickenby passed the baton to the "Serious Financial Crime Taskforce", ensuring the fight against financial crime continues. The legacy of Project Wickenby lives on in the form of reforms and resilience, with stricter laws now guarding Australia's financial gates, ensuring that transparency and compliance remain paramount in the realm of taxation. As we reflect on this saga, let us honour the collaborative spirit that fuelled Project Wickenby. It was a beacon of accountability in a world where shadows once held sway. Together, they upheld the integrity of our financial systems and ensured fairness for all who abided by the rules. #ProjectWickenby #TaxEvasion #FinancialIntegrity #Australia #ATO #AFP #ASIC #FinancialRegulation https://lnkd.in/gXWHgYvU

AIOC was recently featured in this insightful article by Justin Bourque PMP. and Heather Exner-Pirot, published by the Macdonald-Laurier Institute. The piece highlights how Indigenous equity ownership in major energy projects is shaping economic reconciliation. AIOC plays a role in fostering partnerships that amplify the leadership and economic strength of Indigenous Nations and groups, contributing to Alberta’s prosperity. Read more about these milestones and the valuable lessons they bring to economic reconciliation: https://lnkd.in/g2_uuJXP

According to The Guardian, Chancellor Rachel Reeves has launched the UK's new £7.3 billion National Wealth Fund (NWF) to drive private sector investment into critical infrastructure projects. This fund seeks to leverage £3 of private investment for every £1 of public funding, targeting sectors such as clean energy, green steel, gigafactories, ports, carbon capture, and hydrogen. Reeves emphasised a clear distinction between the NWF and GB Energy, another publicly owned company proposed by Labour. While GB Energy will focus on the “production of clean, low carbon energy,” investments made via the NWF will deploy £1.8bn to ports, £1.5bn for gigafactories including electric vehicles, £2.5bn to clean steel, £1bn for carbon capture, and £500m to green hydrogen. Amid political uncertainty in other major Western economies, such as the US and France, Reeves stated that the UK is in a prime position to attract investment. "I think for the first time in a long time, investors will look at Britain and say it’s a country with a stable government. It has a clear plan but a clear mandate for the election. And that’s different from other countries today," she told journalists. The NWF will soon be established formally in UK law, making it a “permanent institution at the heart of the country’s long-term growth and prosperity,” according to the Treasury. Details about the formal head of the NWF will be provided before an international investment summit hosted by the chancellor later this year. Let’s build a greener, more prosperous future. #UKInvestment #GreenEconomy #Infrastructure #EconomicGrowth #Sustainability

South West among nine maritime clusters set for funding 🌊🪙 Nine maritime clusters across the UK, including in the South West, are poised to share £866,100 of goverment funding to help unlock regional economic growth. The Maritime Cluster Development Fund (MCDF) aims to revitalise coastal towns and cities and help them to secure investment for local industry, as well as for training and educational programmes. Maritime minister Mike Kane, who announced the funding boost, said: "The UK is a proud maritime nation, with our coastal communities being vital in unleashing our full potential and unlocking economic growth across the country. Continue reading... https://lnkd.in/ensV2BSN Maritime UK #maritime #marine #finance #funding #investing #southwest #government #announcement #businessnews #businessintelligence

𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐀𝐢𝐝 𝐁𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝐏𝐨𝐬𝐭 by Phedon Nicolaides is 𝐎𝐔𝐓 𝐍𝐎𝐖! Special Tax Treatment for a Major Infrastructure Project In our latest analysis, we delve into a significant case involving the European Commission's investigation into the State aid granted to the Oresund fixed link project, a major transport infrastructure connecting Denmark and Sweden. This post examines the Commission's decision SA.52162 and SA.52617, addressing the aid measures and their compatibility with EU law. 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐏𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬: 1️⃣ Introduction: Learn about the complaint received by the Commission in April 2013, the public funding involved, and the subsequent appeals and investigations leading to the 2019 decision. 2️⃣ Project Overview: Understand the structure and management of the Oresund fixed link, including the roles of the Danish and Swedish state-owned companies in the consortium Øresundsbro Konsortiet. 3️⃣ Economic Activity Analysis: Explore the Commission's detailed examination of whether the consortium's operations constituted economic activities and the implications of this classification. 4️⃣ State Guarantees: Assess the Commission's findings on the state guarantees provided to the consortium, their nature as existing aid, and the selective advantage conferred. 5️⃣ Depreciation and Loss-Carry-Forward Rates: Review the Commission's evaluation of the preferential tax treatment measures and their impact on the consortium's financial position. 6️⃣ Selective Advantage and Aid Recovery: Examine the Commission's conclusions on the selectivity and incompatibility of certain aid measures, along with the requirements for recovery. 7️⃣ Compliance with EU Law: Discuss the Commission's assessment of the aid's compatibility with EU law, focusing on the proportionality and necessity of the measures in achieving public policy objectives. 8️⃣ Lessons Learned: Reflect on the broader implications of the case for the prudent use of public funds and the importance of ensuring proportionality in State aid measures. 🔗 For a comprehensive understanding and detailed insights, access the full analysis at the provided link: https://loom.ly/fvqbh5M #StateAid #InfrastructureAid #EURegulations #LegalAnalysis

Today the newly appointed Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, delivered her first speech in which she promised to 'get Britain building again' by proposing immediate changes to the planning system. These include a reform of the NPPF (including restoring mandatory housing targets) to build the 1.5 million homes Labour promises over the course of this Parliament, as well as an end to the ban on new onshore windfarms in England (which was brought in by the Conservatives in 2015). Whilst there will no doubt be challenges ahead (including issues surrounding deliverability due to the lack of a skilled workforce) such clear and decisive action should be welcome news to those of us in the world of planning. I have personally spent my entire career under a Tory Government (having begun my training contract in 2011). I've 'seen it all' - the death of onshore wind, countless publications of the NPPF, 16 housing minsters and 5 Prime Minsters! It's certainly been an eventful (if not at times frustrating!) time, but surely (whatever your overall political stance) this new, fresh approach to planning is just what the industry needs? The Government is finally prioritising planning reform and encouraging stability and growth and I, for one, am excited about the next chapter #rebuildBritain #planningreform #notimetowaste Shakespeare Martineau, Anna Cartledge, Paul Wakefield, Simon Stanion, Kylie Wesson, Julie Russell, Josh Morley, Jack Randall-Barsby, Yasmin S.

Once again, the Fraser Institute proves that it is more interested in misleading the public with economic argument that wouldn't pass a test in Grade 8 Social Studies. EnergyNow.ca isn't any better. NEWS FLASH; Fraser Institute. Governments are not like families. They never retire and countries grow continuously. As population increases, ongoing capital investments are needed. Here is the bottom line: Our debt problem is not serious, compared to the G7 or OECD Coutries. "By using net debt as a share of the economy (GDP), Canada ranks 5th lowest of 32 countries and lowest amongst the G7. By using gross debt as a share of the economy, Canada falls to 26th of 32 countries and 3rd lowest in the G7." If you want to look south, you find that the US is mired in debt, deficit, and enormous unfunded Social Security liabilities (73 Trillion). In contrast, Canada has used an actuarial approach to ensure the long term viability of CPP and OAS.

Amid all the magical slashing of waste, taxes, immigration and red tape, Reform UK are proposing a *review* of the planning system with a focus on brownfield development. A review of the planning system - a typically bonkers-radical idea.