The North East can be at the centre of the new energy revolution
3 min read
It’s an exciting time to be from the North East. Net-zero is our chance to secure the region’s future – creating green jobs, boosting our local economy, and building a cleaner, healthier environment that we all can all benefit from.
With investment in sustainable industries and the closing of skills gaps, this is a huge opportunity for our part of the world to restore its historic role by becoming the heartbeat of Britain’s bright industrial future.
After years of neglect, it's inspiring to see the Labour government leading this charge, with tangible progress already underway. As a mission champion for the North East, it’s my responsibility to make sure the government’s agenda for change is working for our region and that we’re moving at pace to meet key goals around economic growth. I’m confident in the progress we’re making.
In my constituency of Darlington, local organisations are already making a big impact – both here and globally. Last month, I had a fantastic visit to the Thermal Insulation Contractors Association (TICA) at their training centre in Darlington. It was great to meet their apprentices and see the high-quality training being delivered.
I was really impressed by the technical skills, enthusiasm, and the clear paths to well-paid, meaningful jobs. Supporting trades like thermal insulation is so important, not just for boosting the economy and social mobility, but for hitting our long-term environmental goals.
TICA’s apprenticeship programme has bucked the national trend of falling numbers. This year, they’re welcoming a record 200 apprentices and pushing for more women to join a traditionally male-dominated sector. With nearly 30% of the workforce set to retire soon, they shared their plan to encourage each contractor to take on one more apprentice – a smart, forward-thinking move to secure the future of this vital low-carbon industry and to bring more long-standing, high-skilled jobs to our area.
Another key player in Darlington is Cummins, whose “Destination Zero” strategy is driving the transition to net-zero. Through the development of cleaner internal combustion engines compatible with low-carbon fuels like hydrogen and HVO, as well as zero-emissions technologies such as hydrogen fuel cells and batteries, Cummins is not only advancing innovation but also creating high-quality jobs that support a more sustainable future for the region.
This Labour government has already proved time and again that it is on the side of working people in our region. Ministers have successfully secured a £500mn deal with Hitachi, safeguarding hundreds of local jobs, boosting our economy, and reinforcing our strong ties with the railway industry as it continues to lead in rail technology.
Partnerships like these are positioning our region to become a true powerhouse of modern industry. The announcement of a £22bn investment in cutting-edge carbon capture technology in Teesside marks a major milestone in the UK’s journey to net-zero. This transformative initiative will directly create 4,000 jobs, support an additional 40,000 roles, and attract £8bnin private investment, providing a significant boost to Britain’s industrial heartlands. It’s a game changer for our communities, driving sustainable growth and providing well-paid, skilled jobs for the future.
The people of our region know the value of hard graft; they know the value of good secure work, and we're proud of our contribution. We were at the forefront of the last industrial revolution, and I'm determined that we'll be at the forefront of Labour's bold strategy for energy independence. We know our value and we deserve these opportunities. We’re at a turning point. Public and private investment is coming in, our area is ready to make the most of it. People voted for a better future for them, their families and our communities and Labour is delivering just that.
Lola McEvoy, North East Mission Delivery Champion
