When I was elected as your Member of Parliament, I promised to bring the green industrial revolution here to Bolsover. Net Zero and the pursuit of a green future are vital to bringing economic growth, jobs and prosperity to our region.
That is why I was very happy to work with Onward on its latest report ‘Green Jobs, Red Wall’. This report shows the phenomenal potential of Net Zero for former industrial areas like Bolsover, but it also shows the need to act now.
We have already seen that investment in green technology can bring jobs and prosperity to our region. The recent announcement that West Burton will receive a new nuclear fusion power plant is very exciting and shows the potential for job creation and further investment on our doorsteps.
In November 2021 I helped to shape landmark legislation that allows for greater levels of investment in nuclear energy; including small modular reactors Rolls Royce here in Derbyshire. This sector is already bringing immense levels of investment and more well-paid jobs to our region and I want this to be just the beginning.
I also look forward to meeting with representatives from the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) later this year and learning more about the groundbreaking research that is being conducted into fusion energy in the UK and how the UKAEA wants to make the East Midlands the centre of the global race for fusion energy.
I am also working with partners including ITM and Motive on my ambition to bring a hydrogen refuelling station to Bolsover. This will bring more high-skilled and high-paid jobs to our communities and will be a key milestone in the transition to Net Zero.
In November 2022, I signed the Conservative Environmental Network’s ‘Changing Course’ report calling for greater investment in our waterways to improve water quality, reduce waste discharge and reduce harmful chemical pollutants. I was very pleased to see that the Government has already implemented a number of the recommendations set out in this report, including earmarking monies raised from fines to improve our waterways.
Protecting the environment and supporting Net Zero go hand-in-hand with greater investment, more jobs and economic prosperity. I will continue to champion Bolsover as the heart of the green industrial revolution.
