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date: 17 March 2010

embargo: For immediate release

Government support for low carbon business will create jobs and growth

Commenting on Government plans announced today (Wednesday) for new carbon capture and storage (CCS) facilities and the news that Yorkshire and the Humber is to be the UK's first low carbon economic area, TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said:

'The CCS industrial strategy is great news for the Yorkshire and Humberside region which will benefit from tens of thousands of new jobs in CCS pipeline and capture technology.

'The announcement also puts the UK in a position of genuine global leadership in capturing CO2 emissions from industrial regions wherever power stations, steelworks and other heavy emitters are found.

'This is a key element of the Government's proactive support for low carbon business. For the sake of jobs and future growth, it is important that this approach is enhanced over the coming months and years.'

The TUC today also welcomed the Government's £80 million loan for Sheffield Forgemasters to build a new facility to supply components for the nuclear industry.

Brendan Barber said: 'This announcement is great news for jobs, the fight against climate change and the future of the UK economy.

'This is a vindication of the Government's proactive industrial strategy and shows that carefully considered state action can play a key role in persuading investors that the UK is serious about growing the businesses of the future.'

NOTES TO EDITORS:

- All TUC press releases can be found at www.tuc.org.uk

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Contacts:

Media enquiries:
Liz Chinchen T: 020 7467 1248 M: 07778 158175 E: media@tuc.org.uk
Rob Holdsworth T: 020 7467 1372 M: 07717 531150 E: rholdsworth@tuc.org.uk

Press release (400 words) issued 17 Mar 2010