As part of Chamberโs recent event in Hull on the future of the economy, with a specific focus on decarbonisation and sustainability, Emma Hardy MP made a speech about how Hull can be responsible for powering the UK in the future, in conjunction with highlighting the impressive work that Siemens have done in the area.
Hardy has been the MP for Kingston upon Hull West and Hessle since June 2017. As Shadow Minister for Flooding, Marine and Coastal Communities in the Shadow Department for Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs team (DEFRA), her claims on the future economy through a โgreen perspectiveโ offered unique, and well-researched insight.
Hull: Past, Present, Future
Hardy spoke about the past, present, and future of Hull and its surrounding areas โ looking at how it can become a key area for future economic development in the UK in relation to sustainability. Hardy said,
โOur wealth and prosperity has always come from the sea. We talk a lot about our heritage, and more specifically, our fishing heritage. We talk about the past quite a lot here in Hull and how we were when we were one of the richest places in the United Kingdom.โ
โI think we have the opportunity now to, again, see our wealth come from the sea, not the wealth that comes from the fishing industry, but the wealth that comes from energy and energy security.โ
โWhat a potential for our city, what a potential for our area, that if we can again look out to the sea and instead of seeing all the fishing boats, we instead see all the wind turbines, we see tidal energy, we see a new way of powering up our country. Hull used to feed the UK and how wonderful would it be to say that Hull now powers the UK.โ
Siemens
In 2016, Siemens built a world-class offshore wind turbine blade manufacture, assembly, and servicing facility at Hullโs Alexandra Dock. The facility, which has been largely successful, has already built over 2500 blades in Hull, which powers nearly 7 million homes. This success has led to the company announcing plans for future expansion.
During Chamberโs event in Hull, the German Ambassador, Miguel Berger, spoke to Hardy about the future of Siemens. She said,
โHaving the ambassador here and listening to him talk about energy and talk about wanting to have that close relationship with our area fills me with such hope. We hope itโs the first of many visits to our area.โ
โWe can see what Siemens has already brought to our area and how it can help shape a new identity for our area. We are also excited to continue our close relationship and friendship with the wonderful country of Germany.โ
โSo, I look forward to your next visit and for us to start really fulfilling the potential that we have in our area, to make that great British energy plan become a reality and to make us the city that powers the UK.โ
Labourโs Energy Commitments
With a general election imminent, Hardy took the opportunity to briefly touch on Labourโs commitments in relation to energy, should they come out on top as the current polls predict. She said,
โIf we are fortunate enough to form a government after the next Election, the Labour Party is committed to Great British energy, which would really help to turbocharge this and I hope, bring that much-needed stability and normality back to British politics. I think whatever our political persuasion, we’re all hoping for a period of political calm.โ
Chamberโs Roundtable Event:
To watch the full video of Hardy’s speech at the Future Economy Seminar, please click below and subscribe to our YouTube channel.
Chamber hosted a Chatham House Rule roundtable dinner with key stakeholders including the German Ambassador, Miguel Berger, Shadow Minister for Environmental Quality and Resilience, Emma Hardy MP, Chief Executive of Hull and Humber Chamber of Commerce, Dr Ian Kelly, and Liberal Democrat Leader of Hull Council, Councillor Mike Ross. They shared insightful dialogue regarding the future for sustainability and decarbonisation. Exclusive outputs from this roundtable will be made available to Curiaโs Industrial Strategy Research Group subscribers.
Curiaโs Industrial Strategy Research Group
Alongside the Health, Care Life Sciences Research Group and Foreign Policy and Defence Research Group, Curiaโs Industrial Strategy Research Group offers privileged access to events, such as this one, with previous and upcoming events for subscribers including a gala dinner with Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves MP, a reception with Chancellor Jeremy Hunt MP, and a jazz evening with Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Thangam Debbonaire MP, and Shadow Minister for Science, Research and Innovation, Chi Onwurah MP. To find out more please email team@curiauk.com and visit our websiteย here.