The three MPs who represent Hull in Parliament recently met with the region’s Mayor, Luke Campbell, to discuss the importance of cross-party cooperation. The MPs also spoke of the significance of the renewables sector in Hull and East Yorkshire to the Reform UK Mayor.
Dame Diana Johnson (Hull North and Cottingham), Emma Hardy (Hull West and Haltemprice), and Karl Turner (Hull East) who all represent the Labour Party, have followed up their meeting with Mr Campbell by penning a letter to the Mayor, emphasising some of the points that were made.
The letter, which is addressed directly to Mr Campbell, states that the meeting “builds on the work Labour and Conservative MPs around the Humber have done together over many years”. They add: “Having discussed a number of important issues with you, we thought that it would be helpful to set out what we covered and how we intend to proceed.”
In their letter, the MPs stress the importance of the renewables industry in the region. They write: “Thanks to the progress made since Siemens came to Hull in 2014, the Humber Energy Estuary has become both a national and global leader in green innovation.
“From offshore wind to carbon capture, our sub-region is helping to shape the UK’s transition to low-carbon energy self-sufficiency – alongside important work in related technologies such as flood resilience.” The MPs concluded that the sector “has by far the greatest growth potential for our sub-region,” and told the Mayor that “it needs nurturing”.
In their letter, the MPs also explain that the money that could come into the region from potential private sector investment in Net Zero projects is a greater sum than the annual funding of the Hull and East Yorkshire devolution deal. The MPs say they believe the sector “has the potential to transform our regional economy”.
The MPs also mention the White Rose Agreement that was made between the Mayors of West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, and York & North Yorkshire. Mr Campbell declined the chance to join the agreement after initially indicating he would sign up. In the letter, the MPs “expressed our concern that you had decided not to do so on behalf of our area”.
After being contacted regarding the letter, the Hull and East Yorkshire Combined Authority confirmed that Mr Campbell will be responding to what was raised. The Mayor’s response will be sent to the MPs and made public in due course.
By: Andrew Spence, LDRS
