Productivity and Economic Growth: East Midlands - 17th March 2026

Here are the climate-related sections of speeches by MPs during the Commons debate Productivity and Economic Growth: East Midlands.

Full text: https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2026-03-17/debates/0204EF65-FE5E-4152-A9B3-944766AE696F/ProductivityandEconomicGrowthEastMidlands

09:35 James Naish (Labour)

Fourthly, the inquiry recommended that the east midlands should play a central role in the country’s net zero transition, given its historical role powering millions of homes and businesses across the UK. Linked to that was the call made by more than 30 MPs to finally electrify the midland main line to Sheffield, which has sadly become a byword in our region for slow, uneven and stop-start infrastructure investment into a really important part of the country.

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10:18 John Whitby (Labour)

Aside from transport, there are other projects that would deliver major economic benefits. Peak Cluster based in the Hope valley is the world’s largest cement decarbonisation project and has the potential to decarbonise 40% of the UK’s cement and lime production. The project would safeguard our cement industry for generations to come, support over 13,000 jobs and attract £5 billion of private investment. I urge the Government to provide a clear route to market for carbon capture and storage projects beyond track 1 and track 2 clusters.

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Steve Darling (Liberal Democrat)

Yes. Let me reflect on the three areas that we need to be driving in particular. The first is our green energy approach, which the Government have made significant steps on. I am disappointed that the previous Government had a policy that did not prioritise the new schemes. A number of zombie schemes were sticking in the system. We need only look at the shock to our economy.

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