Latest news with #MartinVickers
Telegraph
5 days ago
- Business
- Telegraph
Hydrogen giant abandons £2bn British factory plans Labour refused to back
The world's largest hydrogen producer has abandoned plans to build a £2bn green energy factory in Britain, dealing a blow to the Government's bid to attract foreign investment. US-based Air Products has pulled the proposed green hydrogen project in Humberside over claims of government foot-dragging, as bosses attacked a 'lack of commitment' by ministers. Air Products first announced details of the proposed plant in Immingham three years ago, which was set to convert imported ammonia into green hydrogen and employ around 3,000 people. At the time, it said it was in 'positive talks' with ministers and officials, as it vowed to be 'an important contributor to the Government's plans to make the UK a global leader in low-carbon hydrogen'. However, in a letter seen by The Times to Martin Vickers, Tory MP for Immingham, Air Products revealed it was walking away from the project in protest at a lack of ministerial support. Suzanne Lowe, the company's UK boss, wrote: 'Current government policy supports a number of blue and green hydrogen production processes but specifically excludes hydrogen production from imported renewable ammonia. 'This is in stark contrast with the EU, which has embraced the import of renewable energy through a range of policy incentives. 'The decision not to open up key support measures to our hydrogen production pathway leaves us with no viable path to build and operate a large-scale hydrogen production facility in the UK.' It marks an end to the project, which appeared to have been given the go-ahead in February when planning permission for an accompanying terminal was approved. However, Air Products has pulled the project just months after also exiting three green hydrogen plants in the US. Whitehall sources said Air Products' decision was a commercial one, claiming the company's ammonia-based plant did not meet its hydrogen production business model. A government spokesman said: 'We will not be financially supporting any ammonia cracking projects at this time, as we are prioritising support for primary hydrogen production in the UK. 'We are already providing £2bn to support 11 British green hydrogen projects, in addition to £500m to create the UK's first regional hydrogen transport and storage network, creating thousands of clean energy jobs and ensuring communities across the country feel the benefits of Britain's renewal.' Meanwhile, it comes weeks after warnings that a giant hydrogen project in Teesside was also at risk. BP's H2Teesside scheme, announced in 2021 by Bernard Looney, then the oil giant's chief executive, was designed to produce 'blue' hydrogen from natural gas, and then capture and store the carbon emissions. But sources warned that BP was set to scale back or even cancel the project as it struggled to secure enough customers to make the investment worthwhile. BP said: 'We continue to work with [the] Government to progress H2Teesside.'
The Independent
13-05-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Accountant and Maori priest among group who will elect new archbishop of Canterbury as selection delay branded ‘staggering'
The lengthy wait for a new archbishop of Canterbury to lead the Church of England has been branded 'staggering' in comparison to the Catholic Church's speedy election of a new pope. Conservative MP Martin Vickers said there is a desperate need for a replacement for Justin Welby, who announced he would quit in November and formally stepped down in January. Technically, the King is head of the Church of England, but the person holding the role of archbishop of Canterbury is the most senior bishop and is the spiritual leader of the Church and the worldwide Anglican Communion. Speaking during a Westminster Hall debate on Tuesday, Mr Vickers referred to the election of the new Pope Leo XIV – who was announced on Thursday after a secret conclave meeting which lasted just over 24 hours, meaning the Catholic Church had a leader in place less than three weeks after the death of Pope Francis. Mr Vickers said: 'Perhaps the Catholic Church have got something to teach the Church of England in the speed that they appoint their head. 'We desperately need a head of the Church of England at this time, and that it takes a year to come up with a candidate is staggering.' His comments came as the Church of England revealed who would be responsible for selecting the new archbishop. The Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell, currently the most senior bishop in the Church, will be among the voting members alongside Bishop of Norwich, Graham Usher, the church's lead on the environment. Mr Cottrell has come under criticism for his handling of a historic case of sexual abuse involving priest David Tudor. He said he was 'deeply sorry' about the case, but said he had 'acted immediately' and faced down calls to resign. It had already been confirmed that the commission would be chaired by Lord Evans of Weardale – a former director-general of the MI5 security service. Candidates for the new archbishop must be at least 30 years old, and generally younger than 70. A nomination can only be made if it has received the support of at least two-thirds of the total number of CNC voting members in a secret ballot. The commission is expected to have its first meeting later this month, followed by at least two further meetings in July and September. Church members who will also have voting rights include a chartered accountant, a retired university lecturer, and a former law reporter. International members of the commission also include an industrial engineer and lay minister from Buenos Aires, Argentina, the Anglican archbishop of Jerusalem, and a Māori priest. It is expected there could be an announcement on a nomination for the 106th archbishop of Canterbury by autumn – a year after Mr Welby announced his resignation. He said in November 2024 that he was to stand down following failures in handling a Church abuse scandal involving barrister and Christian camp leader John Smyth – thought to be the most prolific abuser associated with the Church. More than 11,000 people took part in February and March in a public consultation for the next archbishop of Canterbury – aimed at giving people the chance to influence the future of leadership within the Church, by submitting both names and the qualities they think are required. Lord Evans said: 'Helping to choose the next Archbishop of Canterbury is both a great responsibility and a privilege. 'The Crown Nominations Commission understands the weight of this important decision and we pray for God's hand on the process. 'I thank those who have taken part in the public consultation across the country and the Anglican Communion, helping us to establish the gifts, skills and qualities required in the next Archbishop.'
South Wales Guardian
13-05-2025
- Politics
- South Wales Guardian
Ongoing wait for new Church of England leader ‘staggering' says MP
Conservative MP Martin Vickers said there is a desperate need for a replacement for Justin Welby, who announced he would quit in November and formally stepped down in January. Technically, the King is head of the Church of England, but the person holding the role of archbishop of Canterbury is the most senior bishop and is the spiritual leader of the Church and the worldwide Anglican Communion. Speaking during a Westminster Hall debate on Tuesday, Mr Vickers referred to the election of the new Pope Leo XIV – who was announced on Thursday after a secret conclave meeting which lasted just over 24 hours, meaning the Catholic Church had a leader in place less than three weeks after the death of Pope Francis. Mr Vickers said: 'Perhaps the Catholic Church have got something to teach the Church of England in the speed that they appoint their head. 'We desperately need a head of the Church of England at this time, and that it takes a year to come up with a candidate is staggering.' His comments came as the Church of England announced the central members and Anglican Communion representatives of the Canterbury Crown Nominations Commission (CNC). The CNC is the body charged with nominating the new archbishop. Its membership had been expected to be known in March, but there appear to have been delays in the selection of representatives from the diocese of Canterbury. On Tuesday, the Church confirmed the Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell – currently the most senior bishop in the Church – will be among the voting members, alongside Bishop of Norwich, Graham Usher. It had already been confirmed that the commission would be chaired by Lord Evans of Weardale – a former director-general of the MI5 security service. Candidates for the new archbishop must be at least 30 years old, and generally younger than 70 and a nomination can only be made if it has received the support of at least two-thirds of the total number of CNC voting members in a secret ballot. The commission is expected to have its first meeting later this month, followed by at least two further meetings in July and September. It is expected there could be an announcement on a nomination for the 106th archbishop of Canterbury by autumn – a year after Mr Welby announced his resignation. He said on November 12 2024 that he was to stand down following failures in handling a Church abuse scandal involving barrister and Christian camp leader John Smyth – thought to be the most prolific abuser associated with the Church. More than 11,000 people took part in February and March in a public consultation for the next archbishop of Canterbury – aimed at giving people the chance to influence the future of leadership within the Church, by submitting both names and the qualities they think are required. Lord Evans said: 'Helping to choose the next Archbishop of Canterbury is both a great responsibility and a privilege. 'The Crown Nominations Commission understands the weight of this important decision and we pray for God's hand on the process. 'I thank those who have taken part in the public consultation across the country and the Anglican Communion, helping us to establish the gifts, skills and qualities required in the next Archbishop.'
The Independent
13-05-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Ongoing wait for new Church of England leader ‘staggering' says MP
The lengthy wait for a new archbishop of Canterbury to lead the Church of England has been branded 'staggering' in comparison to the Catholic Church's speedy election of a new Pope. Conservative MP Martin Vickers said there is a desperate need for a replacement for Justin Welby, who announced he would quit in November and formally stepped down in January. Technically, the King is head of the Church of England, but the person holding the role of archbishop of Canterbury is the most senior bishop and is the spiritual leader of the Church and the worldwide Anglican Communion. Speaking during a Westminster Hall debate on Tuesday, Mr Vickers referred to the election of the new Pope Leo XIV – who was announced on Thursday after a secret conclave meeting which lasted just over 24 hours, meaning the Catholic Church had a leader in place less than three weeks after the death of Pope Francis. Mr Vickers said: 'Perhaps the Catholic Church have got something to teach the Church of England in the speed that they appoint their head. 'We desperately need a head of the Church of England at this time, and that it takes a year to come up with a candidate is staggering.' His comments came as the Church of England announced the central members and Anglican Communion representatives of the Canterbury Crown Nominations Commission (CNC). The CNC is the body charged with nominating the new archbishop. Its membership had been expected to be known in March, but there appear to have been delays in the selection of representatives from the diocese of Canterbury. On Tuesday, the Church confirmed the Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell – currently the most senior bishop in the Church – will be among the voting members, alongside Bishop of Norwich, Graham Usher. It had already been confirmed that the commission would be chaired by Lord Evans of Weardale – a former director-general of the MI5 security service. Candidates for the new archbishop must be at least 30 years old, and generally younger than 70 and a nomination can only be made if it has received the support of at least two-thirds of the total number of CNC voting members in a secret ballot. The commission is expected to have its first meeting later this month, followed by at least two further meetings in July and September. It is expected there could be an announcement on a nomination for the 106th archbishop of Canterbury by autumn – a year after Mr Welby announced his resignation. He said on November 12 2024 that he was to stand down following failures in handling a Church abuse scandal involving barrister and Christian camp leader John Smyth – thought to be the most prolific abuser associated with the Church. More than 11,000 people took part in February and March in a public consultation for the next archbishop of Canterbury – aimed at giving people the chance to influence the future of leadership within the Church, by submitting both names and the qualities they think are required. Lord Evans said: 'Helping to choose the next Archbishop of Canterbury is both a great responsibility and a privilege. 'The Crown Nominations Commission understands the weight of this important decision and we pray for God's hand on the process. 'I thank those who have taken part in the public consultation across the country and the Anglican Communion, helping us to establish the gifts, skills and qualities required in the next Archbishop.'
