Reform UK's Net-Zero Stance Threatens Investment and Jobs in Britain’s Humber Region

Reform UK’s national policy to “declare war” on net-zero initiatives is prompting industry leaders in the Humber—Britain’s largest industrial cluster for emissions and economic activity—to warn that up to £44 billion of private-sector investment and roughly 20,000 jobs could be jeopardised. The region, which includes the ports of Hull, Grimsby and Immingham, hosts steel, chemicals, fuel-refining, food, lime and glass manufacturing.

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The Humber Energy Board (HEB) estimates that between £22 billion and £44 billion of private capital could be unlocked over the next two decades through solar, hydrogen, carbon-capture storage and offshore wind projects. HEB also projects that decarbonisation could create more than 20,000 new jobs while preserving existing factories. Reform’s leaders, including Business and Energy spokesperson Richard Tice, have pledged to cut contracts and subsidies for clean-energy schemes, arguing that net-zero is “stupid” and financially burdensome.

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Reform’s position is articulated by Richard Tice, who calls for the removal of net-zero policies and a reduction in clean-energy subsidies. Conversely, the HEB maintains that a pragmatic decarbonisation plan can both safeguard existing industry and generate employment. Local mayors—Luke Campbell (Hull and East Yorkshire) and Dame Andrea Jenkyns (Greater Lincolnshire)—have expressed mixed messages, with Campbell describing net-zero as “bankrupting our economy” while later calling clean energy “great,” and Jenkyns asserting a shift toward “energy security” over the net-zero narrative.

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Business insiders warn that uncertainty over Reform’s stance is driving investors toward the North East or abroad. Councillor Rob Waltham (North Lincolnshire) cautioned that policy changes could cause firms to retreat from investment and job creation. Professor Jim Gilbert, a renewable-energy expert at the University of Hull, called Reform’s criticism a “distraction” that undermines the certainty needed for global companies. Dan Meredith, director of external affairs for Solar Energy UK, highlighted the Humber’s unique capacity for clean-power transition and warned that confidence, not ideology, will determine future investment.

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• “I don’t like the fact that net zero is more or less bankrupting our economy,” — Luke Campbell, Mayor of Hull and East Yorkshire

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• “If you start changing, businesses will retreat from the investment and creating jobs,” — Rob Waltham, Conservative leader, North Lincolnshire Council

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• “These companies have interests all over the world, they’re looking for where they get the best return, they want certainty,” — Jim Gilbert, Professor of Renewable Energy, University of Hull

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• “Reform has declared war on large solar farms (Photo: Getty) Dan Meredith, director of external affairs for Solar Energy UK, warned: “Britain has an extraordinary opportunity to attract investment in places like the Humber – but investment will follow confidence.” — Dan Meredith, Director of External Affairs, Solar Energy UK

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• “We actually need to have a more sensible energy policy rather than putting out all our eggs in one basket.” — Dame Andrea Jenkyns, Mayor of Greater Lincolnshire

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