“Tackling the climate crisis and making our region the UK’s renewable energy coast has been a top priority of mine since I was elected. I am glad to see that national government is now starting to focus on this agenda as well, however we now need to see action alongside these warm words.

“The Prime Minister rightly referenced our region as one of a handful of areas becoming synonymous with green technology and jobs. 

“We have a full range of energy options here – offshore wind in Liverpool Bay has helped to make the UK the largest producer of wind power in Europe; we are at the forefront of hydrogen production and distribution, as well as its use as an alternative fuel for domestic, industrial and transport use. 

“But there is much more that we can do if the government backs us with increased funding support. So, I was disappointed that the Prime Minister failed to mention the huge potential of tidal energy, despite our discussions with government in recent months.  

“We know that tidal can play an important role in the UK’s future energy mix – it is predictable, green and reliable. Our Mersey Tidal Power project alone has the potential to power up to one million homes by harnessing our greatest natural asset, the River Mersey and Liverpool Bay, but we need government to get behind it as well and I will continue to lobby ministers hard to do so.

“Nowhere else in the country can offer the range of green energy options we have here and with increased support from government we can make a huge contribution to the UK’s economy and our future energy security.”