There are now twelve new style freeports in the UK, set up under the previous Conservative government which was convinced that freeports would represent a major Brexit dividend for Britain. There are also eight regional investment zones in the UK with the promise of more to come.

This podcast puts investment zones and freeports under an analytical lens to determine what they are and how they work. It investigates whether they make sense as a way of kick-starting economic activity and driving trade-based growth or whether we should be concerned about the idea of favouring some regions of the country over others; and is there any evidence that these investment zones and freeports are actually making a positive difference?

Joining our host Chris Horseman (Borderlex) are Steve Fothergill (Industrial Communities Alliance/Sheffield Hallam University), Peter Holmes (University of Sussex/UKTPO), Anna Jerzewska (Trade & Borders) and Kevin McKenzie (Plymouth City Council).