MORE than 25,000 jobs could be created across the North-East if plans to make post-Brexit tariff-free trade hubs go ahead, a new report has claimed.

A study unveiled today has found that a free port at Teesport that was integrated with existing industry could create in excess of 17,500 jobs and add more than £1bn to the Tees Valley economy.

A further 8,500 jobs could be created if the Port of Tyne also became an integrated tariff-free port, the report claims.

The study by consultancy and construction company Mace has looked at the benefits of creating seven free ports - Grimsby & Immingham, Hull, Liverpool, Manchester Airport, Hull, Teesport and Port of Tyne - which operate outside customs territory, meaning manufacturers can import and export goods without the burden of expensive duties.

The report also found a free port in Teesport would be benefit by being “supercharged” – meaning, as it would be located around existing industrial clusters they could help “turbo-charge” economic growth and trade, creating thousands of additional jobs.

The process industries around Teesport were highlighted as an area a free port could benefit from, and the report also found that of the seven ports in the North, Tees Valley would be the third biggest beneficiary, behind Grimsby & Immingham and Liverpool, in terms of the number of jobs created.

The report states: “Evidence from around the world shows that the creation of free ports would deliver a major boost to regeneration, growth, productivity and job creation - an idea which we are currently prevented from fully implementing due to our membership of the EU Customs Union.

“Our new independent analysis shows that even on conservative estimates, creating seven supercharged free ports across the North would promote a massive economic impact through increased trade, increased industrial activity and job creation.

“It is not Mace’s place to take a political view, but we hope that our independent research and detailed analysis stimulate debate and provide timely suggestions about how the UK’s economy could be rebalanced and opportunities can be created for those outside of the South East.”

In January, Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen launched a campaign to look at the creation of a free port as a test case for the UK, backed by more than local 50 business leaders and influential individuals.

Since the launch, he has continued to press Government over the plans in meetings with Whitehall figures such as Chief Secretary to the Treasury Liz Truss and Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury Robert Jenrick.

Mr Houchen said: “This report confirms what I have been saying for a very long time, that a free port in the Tees Valley will be transformational for our region and vital in a post-Brexit Britain.

“When we leave the EU, Britain will find itself with the freedom to be an outward looking country trading with the entire world once again.

“The Tees Valley is already attracting international investment and a free port, with all the benefits they bring for business, will make our region an international magnet for even more investment.

“All this means is more jobs for local people and a huge boost to our economy.”

Mike Hill, Labour MP for Hartlepool said: “I very much welcome the proposed introduction of a ‘Supercharged’ Free Port covering Tees and Hartlepool.

“As we leave the EU it is vital that we maximise our global trading potential - there is plenty of talk about rebalancing the UK economy towards the North, but not enough action.

“Ports like Hartlepool have bags of potential and the proposal could lead to new opportunities for local people, as well as new jobs, apprenticeships and investment.”

Teesport is mostly associated with the handling of steel, petrochemical, and manufactured goods, and handles around 27 million tonnes of cargo a year – the ninth most in the UK and third most in the North.

Steve Gillingham, director for the North at Mace, said: “Our ports in the North make up some of our country’s greatest assets, and transforming the North’s ports into supercharged free ports, as this report suggests, would ensure the region is well placed to drive post-Brexit growth and help rebalance the UK economy.

“This would not only drive industrial and economic development, but also create thousands of jobs which would help in turn to reduce inequality across the region.”