With an increase in the windfall tax on North Sea oil and gas producers considered "inevitable", a speaker at a business event in Aberdeen called for the north-east to be get a green freeport to ensure jobs are retained and the transition to low-carbon energy is achieved.

Geoff Aberdein - managing partner at consultancy firm True North - said a decision on green freeports in Scotland was "imminent".

Speaking at the launch of Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce's 36th energy transition survey, he said the North East Scotland Green Freeport bid had many strengths, but that these were also considered weaknesses.

"The fact we are already a global hub, the fact that we already foster an innovative environment and that we have created high-value jobs may not be scored as heavily, because they are looking at new additionality - I think that is mistaken," he said.

The long-awaited decision on where the two green freeports will be based has been delayed by the recent political turmoil in Westminster, despite Scottish Secretary Alister Jack revealing more than a month ago that a decision had already been reached.

Click here to read the full P&J report from yesterday's breakfast event.

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