Chancellor urged to fund Humber carbon capture and hydrogen projects in Budget
Industry leaders in the Humber are pressing the Chancellor to back carbon capture and the UK's first hydrogen network in the upcoming Budget, warning that without support jobs could shift abroad.
Sector representatives in the Humber are urging the Chancellor to include strong funding for two flagship clean-energy schemes in this month's Budget: a carbon capture and storage (CCS) system that would transport emissions from Immingham to underground storage off the Lincolnshire coast, and the country's first hydrogen network. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero has earmarked £500 million for the hydrogen effort, while private firms, notably Harbour Energy, stand ready to invest £15 billion in CCS if the government provides the necessary guarantees.
Leaders argue that without decisive backing, the region—Britain's most carbon-intensive industrial zone—could lose jobs and future investment to overseas competitors. Olivia Powis of the Carbon Capture and Storage Association warned that any retreat from commitments would erode industry confidence and stall reindustrialisation. Reindustrialisation Minister Blair McDougall reaffirmed that both hydrogen and undersea CCS are essential to the net-zero agenda and will be addressed in the Budget.
Why it matters
The funding decision will shape the Humber's industrial future and the UK's ability to meet its 2030 clean-energy and 2050 net-zero goals.
How the sides frame it
LOW AGREEMENTCenter coverage frames the story as political pressure on the Chancellor over the upcoming budget and tax debates, while right-leaning coverage frames it as a regional call for strong funding of carbon capture and hydrogen projects to protect jobs and investment.
CENTER
Coverage frames the story as intense scrutiny of the Chancellor’s budget, highlighting the “pasty tax” leak, political debates over family support and inheritance tax, and hopes for lower energy bills and infrastructure funding.
RIGHT
Coverage frames the story as a regional appeal for decisive budget funding of carbon capture and hydrogen schemes, warning that without it the industrial zone could lose jobs and investment to overseas competitors.
The right emphasises
- urging the Chancellor to include strong funding
- carbon capture and storage (CCS) system
- hydrogen network
- could lose jobs and future investment to overseas competitors
How this story developed
- Oct 18 Rural councils urge Chancellor John Healey to address £19bn growth gap in upcoming Budget
- Oct 23 Antonia Medlicott’s budgeting and tax guidance has entered the discussion ahead of the Budget.
- Oct 25 Healey scheduled an early budget for 28 October that is expected to include a £70 billion borrowing increase and a mix of tax and spending measures.
In this story
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