The UK Government has approved the £200 million Viking onshore pipeline, enabling the development of carbon capture and storage (CCS) infrastructure on the Lincolnshire coast.

The project will see a 55-kilometre underground pipeline built from Immingham to the Theddlethorpe Gas Terminal. Captured CO₂ will then be transferred offshore to the Viking gas fields in the North Sea for long-term storage.

Led by Harbour Energy and supported by BP, the Viking CCS Pipeline is part of a broader decarbonisation strategy projected to attract up to £7 billion in investment across the Humber region by 2035. The initiative is expected to support 10,000 construction jobs and deliver £4 billion in economic value by 2030.

The pipeline’s design includes operational infrastructure such as valves, inspection and venting systems, handling facilities, and temporary construction sites.

After a six-month review by the Planning Inspectorate, which involved input from stakeholders and local authorities, the project received final consent from the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero.

The Viking fields have the potential to store up to 300 million tonnes of CO₂, with infrastructure designed to handle up to 10 million tonnes annually by the end of the decade.

Identity Consult has launched a new service, IC Development, to help housebuilders and residential developers accelerate the delivery of homes across Yorkshire and the Midlands. The service targets delays and inefficiencies in the housing development process by offering flexible, interim development management support.

The initiative is aimed at addressing the UK’s housing shortage and will expand Identity Consult’s existing portfolio of housing projects, including past work with social housing provider WDH. IC Development will assist clients across all stages of development, from feasibility assessments to funding applications and securing land.

The team is led by Russell Gallagher, who joined Identity Consult in 2021, and Clive Durkin, a recent hire with experience in both the public and private housing sectors. The new arm will also benefit from a strategic partnership with A&D Asset Release, supporting clients with land identification and planning processes.

The model offers tailored support for short or long-term needs, aiming to reduce bottlenecks caused by skills shortages or limited in-house capacity. IC Development will work directly with local authorities, housing associations and developers to speed up housing delivery while ensuring quality and compliance.

A supermarket delivery scheme in Leeds using autonomous robots has already covered 36,000 miles since its launch in 2022, reducing emissions and promoting sustainable delivery methods. The project, a collaboration between Leeds City Council, Co-op, and Starship Technologies, has saved approximately 6,000kg of carbon dioxide, with robots using minimal energy – comparable to boiling water for a single cup of tea.

The service, currently available in select areas of north and east Leeds, operates with six-wheeled robots travelling at walking pace (up to 4mph), navigating pavements and obstacles with ease.

The trial’s success has led to discussions about its expansion, with plans to extend the service to new areas in Leeds. Future pilots could partner with the University of Leeds and logistics company Evri. The initiative remains in the trial phase as the UK government has not yet permitted robots to use public highways permanently.

The pilot service is already operational in Co-op stores in Adel, Tinshill, Kippax, and Swarcliffe. Wakefield Council is also partnering with Co-op and Starship Technologies to offer the service to 13,000 residents in Outwood.

A recent report has revealed that the University of Sheffield contributed £4.82 billion to the UK economy in the 2022-2023 academic year, with a return of £6.40 for every pound spent. The report highlights the institution’s vital role in regional and national economic growth.

The university’s impact is particularly notable in South Yorkshire, where more than 80% of its regional contribution is focused. The analysis shows that over half of its total regional impact is felt in Yorkshire and the Humber, with significant contributions to local businesses, suppliers, and communities.

The findings, commissioned by the University and carried out by the consultancy London Economics, underline the institution’s strategic partnerships that aim to foster innovation, support local economic development, and shape the workforce of the future. These partnerships help the university address the challenges businesses and communities face, driving long-term growth in the region.

The UK’s food and drink manufacturing industry is crucial to the national economy, contributing £37bn and employing nearly 500,000 people. According to the latest Food and Drink Federation (FDF) report, the sector has seen significant growth over the past decade, expanding by 17.9%. It now makes up 24.2% of the UK’s total manufacturing turnover, with widespread impact across regions, from Scotland to Northern Ireland.

While the sector’s contribution to regional economies is clear—accounting for nearly a third of manufacturing in Scotland, and a fifth in both the East Midlands and Northern Ireland—some challenges could hinder future growth. The FDF highlights a slowdown in food and drink exports, particularly to the EU, where trade has dropped more than 30% since Brexit, rising inflation and increased costs due to new packaging regulations. These factors have led to a decline in business confidence within the sector.

Despite these challenges, the FDF sees substantial growth potential, particularly with advances in automation, robotics, and product innovation. The sector is also poised to tap into a £14bn productivity opportunity by embracing digital technology and AI. However, the FDF warns that maintaining this momentum depends on overcoming barriers, including limited investment in innovation, a shortage of skilled workers, and bureaucratic hurdles.

The FDF urges the government to take action by prioritising food and drink manufacturing in national policy. Key recommendations include increasing R&D funding for the sector, simplifying tax credit systems for innovation, and addressing trade barriers, particularly with the EU. The FDF also calls for a more strategic approach to workforce development and the streamlining of regulations, particularly for the 12,000 small and medium-sized businesses that form the industry’s backbone.