It is nearly a month since Scottish Secretary Alister Jack revealed the two winning green freeport bids had been chosen.
An announcement, he said, was imminent.
But that was before the latest bout of chaos which engulfed the Tories as Liz Truss resigned as prime minister.
While the Conservatives succumbed to another crisis, business leaders in Fife were left none the wiser as to what was happening with the drawn-out process.
Even now, the UK Government is unable to provide any indication as to when the successful applications will be announced.
Such uncertainty is bad at any time.
It is even worse when the country is gripped by a cost-of-living crisis and in dire financial straits.
Yet U-turns and delays appear to be the norm with a government which has had a constantly shifting policy agenda.
Fife needs clarity on Rosyth freeport bid
When Ms Truss took power, she signalled losing freeport bids would instead become low-tax investment zones.
It meant that even if Rosyth’s hopes fell by the wayside, they would be given a consolation prize.
Now these appear to be on the chopping block, much like most of Ms Truss’s political programme.
If the Forth Ports bid fails, Fife could be left completely empty-handed and lose out on thousands of new jobs.
Freeports are not without controversy.
The Scottish Greens branded them a “tax-dodging scheme”.
Plans have been unveiled for green port at Rosyth – but how do residents feel about proposed development? https://t.co/vk2HB7nnL1
— The Courier (@thecourieruk) October 23, 2022
Some will question whether businesses should be given tax breaks when families are struggling to pay their bills.
Yet even a harsh critic would have to concede the current uncertainty is beneficial to nobody.
Any economic boon to come from freeports for Fife is needed as soon as possible.
And more clarity is needed from the UK Government.
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