North will lead the UK’s green revolution says tech giant boss
THE UK’s “North-South” divide can finally be rebalanced under the Government’s levelling up plans, a top boss insists.
Carl Ennis, UK chief executive of tech giant Siemens, says a key meeting today between council leaders and Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove could transform “regional inequality”.
He also said he hopes the North can power a new green industrial revolution as part of the plans.
Mr Gove will address councillors in examining the future of the region at Convention of the North in Liverpool today.
Last week, he unveiled his Levelling Up White Paper, which aims to improve ser- vices such as education, broadband and transport.
Mr Ennis, from Newcastle, said: “The North-South divide still demonstrates imbalance. While conditions have improved for many northern communities over the last few decades, the Government’s commitment to levelling up shows plenty more is still to be done.
“Britain is over-centralised. And in the midst of a climate emergency, a country with an overheated engine is the last thing we need. Michael Gove recently spoke of firing up Britain’s engines.
“We need to be thinking about a future with clean energy, driven by the North.
“The North gave the world the railway, the computer and the first industrial revolution. It is perfectly positioned to undo some of the harm caused by industrialisation.
“But to get our approach right, we need the policy levers that will allow us to take charge of a green industrial revolution.
“The Levelling Up White Paper could have the ingredients needed to unlock clean growth while boosting living standards across the country.
“For it to be truly successful, northern leaders must be supported to leverage our strengths and innovations.
“Making the North the UK’s green heartland will help the UK meet its ambitious carbon reduction targets and level up.”
Mr Ennis said that by utilising emerging hydrogen, decarbonisation and carbon capture technologies, the North has “potential to deliver a 50 per cent reduction” in carbon levels by 2032. This could create 100,000 new jobs and £2billion a year for the economy by 2050, he said.
He added: “The North has powered our country’s prosperity before. It’s time to give it the autonomy to do it again.”
‘A future with clean energy, driven by North’