NP11 response to the Prime Minister’s statement on Net Zero

21st September 2023

Clare Hayward MBE DL, Chair of the NP11 group of northern LEPs and of the Cheshire and Warrington LEP, said:

“The transition to Net Zero represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to level up the North’s economy, with the potential to add up to £6bn-a-year to UK Plc and create over 100,000 skilled jobs.

“Private sector partners are investing heavily in major schemes to decarbonise our industries and help households and businesses switch to lower cost, low carbon forms of energy. Our region also generates half of the country’s green energy, with ambitious offshore wind, hydrogen and carbon capture projects in the pipeline. As a result, the North recently topped the table for foreign direct investment (FDI) in net zero, accounting for over one-fifth of total UK inward investment in the sector.

“Businesses recognise the economic opportunity of Net Zero and will continue to invest to make sure the UK remains at the forefront of global growth and innovation. Government backing is vital, however, to give confidence to private sector investors and unlock the full scale of this opportunity for our economy. We await the forthcoming announcements on reforms to energy infrastructure and the Green Futures Fellowship and are committed to working with the Government to make sure the North continues to lead the Net Zero transition for the whole UK.”

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