Humber LEP takes part in Westminster committee discussing increasing the UK's green jobs

The success of the Humber at creating green jobs – and what both the region and the UK will need to create future green roles – has been discussed in a Parliamentary committee.

Richard Kendall, the Humber LEP’s Director of Business and Strategy, appeared as part of the Environmental Audit Committee’s virtual inquiry into green jobs on Wednesday afternoon.

The committee had asked to hear from the Humber about how the region’s success could be replicated elsewhere, and what more could be done by Government to boost clean growth here and in other places.

The Environmental Audit Committee of MPs is looking at how green jobs can help tackle the expected rise in unemployment due to COVID-19 in a sustainable way. It will also look at the jobs, skills and training needed to achieve the UK’s longer-term climate and environmental ambitions and what planning and work is taking place to meet these requirements.

Speaking to the committee, Richard discussed how the region became central to the offshore wind sector, and the potential that lies ahead in that sector and through decarbonising one of the UK’s most significant industrial clusters.

He also discussed how the region was well placed to make success happen through its existing assets and the strength of partnership between public and private sectors – citing the Greenport partnership in Hull, the LEP’s work with CATCH on industrial decarbonisation and the Humber Freeport bid amongst examples of the Humber’s track record.  Collaboration on skills development, business support and innovation were also key, with several successful projects in the region.

Finally, Richard discussed what the Humber would need to continue its progress and realise the next wave of opportunities in offshore wind, hydrogen and carbon capture and storage – emphasising the need for continuing commitment from Government, as well as devolved resources to support local skills and supply chain development.

Richard said: “This was a great opportunity to showcase some of what partners around the Humber have achieved over the last ten years and the huge amount of potential that lies ahead in offshore wind, hydrogen and carbon capture and storage.  The scale of the opportunity here is unmatched in the UK, so nowhere is better placed than the Humber to lead the green recovery.

“The Chancellor’s Budget announcements on the Humber Freeport and AMEP earlier that day were a major boost for the Humber’s plans, and we hope for further positive news on other projects in the weeks and months ahead.”