Concern £15bn Humber investment could be lost

Liberal Democrat Councillors have warned that at least £15 billion of investment and 
thousands of skilled jobs in the Humber are at risk following statements from Reform UK that 
it would scrap support for carbon capture and the wider net zero programmes.
 

The warning comes as East Riding of Yorkshire Council considers the Humber Economic 
Strategy.

Cllr Phil Redshaw (Cottingham North) said "The Humber is the UK’s largest industrial cluster, 
supporting thousands of jobs in steel, chemicals, refining and energy. Projects like the 
Humber Carbon Capture and Storage Programme are central to securing the long term future 
of the region's industrial base.

But we are facing an increasingly unstable global energy crisis that makes our response here 
even more critical - because the Humber has an answer!

 
Renewable energy developments across the region, particularly offshore wind and hydrogen, 
offer a pathway to greater energy security, economic resilience and long-term growth.
This strategy is expected to attract at least £15 billion of private investment into the Humber. 
That means real jobs, real businesses, and real economic security for our communities, but 
that investment depends on consistent, long-term government support to unlock it.
Cllr Redshaw said "It is therefore alarming that Reform spokesperson, Robert Jenrick MP has 
confirmed they plan to scrap investment in carbon capture and wider net zero programmes as 
part of £13 billion in cuts to the renewables sector."

Reform UK’s plans would pull the rug out from under the Humber economy. They would walk 
away from critical investment, tell global investors the UK is not a reliable partner, and all but 
invite major employers to take jobs and growth elsewhere.

Put simply, these policies undermine investor confidence and risk driving industry out of the 
Humber.

Cllr Phil Redshaw issued a direct challenge to Mayor Luke Campbell:
• "He cannot claim to stand up for Humber jobs while backing, or refusing to challenge, a 
policy that tells investors they are on their own.
• When he says companies must invest “at their own risk”, what he is really saying is that he is 
prepared to let billions in investment and thousands of local jobs slip through our fingers.
“his is a defining moment. Either he stands up to Reform UK’s leadership and fights for the 
investment our region needs, or he accepts the consequences of their policy - factories closing, 
opportunities lost, and our communities paying the price."