Council leader: North Lincolnshire must be in Government’s industrial investment top ten

North Lincolnshire must be among the Government’s top ten strategic investment priorities, council leader Rob Waltham has argued, arguing that the area brings together the manufacturing, innovation and energy opportunities ministers want to unlock.

Cllr Waltham has written to Jonathan Reynolds making the case for North Lincolnshire as ministers seek up to ten major industrial and commercial sites for support through the new £700m Strategic Sites Accelerator.

The council argues that British Steel, ABLE Humber Port and the Humber Freeport, alongside skilled workers and land available for development, provide a nationally significant opportunity to strengthen British industry and create skilled jobs for generations.

Cllr Rob Waltham, leader, North Lincolnshire Council, said: “Government is looking for the country’s biggest industrial investment opportunities. North Lincolnshire is that.

“Ministers talk about reindustrialisation, innovation, energy security and skilled jobs. North Lincolnshire is where those ambitions come together.

“We have nationally important industries, skilled workers, major ports and the space to attract new investment. If Government wants to strengthen British manufacturing and build the industries of the future, this is the place to do it."

The move builds on Cllr Waltham’s evidence to Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee, where he made the case for investment in steelmaking as a foundation for economic growth and Britain’s industrial security.

The committee’s subsequent report reflected those concerns, calling for a credible long-term plan for British Steel and for Government to continue working with North Lincolnshire Council and trade unions on its future.

Cllr Waltham added: “When I gave evidence to Parliament, I made the case for investment in Britain’s industrial future. The Public Accounts Committee reinforced the need for a credible plan and for North Lincolnshire to help shape it.

“From manufacturing and innovation to ports and energy, we have opportunities here that together can make a major contribution to Britain’s economic growth.

“Government needs to recognise that wider potential and work with us to unlock it - backing existing businesses to expand, attracting new employers and putting the infrastructure in place to support them.

“These national priorities are being decided now. North Lincolnshire must be at the table from the outset, and ministers need to back the scale of the opportunity with decisions and investment.”

In his letter, Cllr Waltham calls for direct discussions with Government, No10 North and the Office for Investment to set out the North Lincolnshire and wider Humber Estuary opportunity.

The Strategic Sites Accelerator is intended to help overcome barriers holding back major developments, including power connections, transport infrastructure and getting sites ready for investment.