West Yorkshire will see more than 1,000 new bus and coach driver roles created through a four-year training initiative. Realise, a local training provider, has secured a contract with West Yorkshire Combined Authority to deliver the Route to Success programme, funded via the region’s devolved adult education budget.

The programme targets residents aged 19 and over across Bradford and the surrounding areas. Each year, at least 320 participants will complete the classroom-based first stage, covering core bus and coach driving principles. Around 90 participants annually will progress to stage two, which provides on-road, practical training.

Graduates of the second stage receive support to secure employment with small and medium-sized operators, helping local businesses fill critical driving roles. Participants who complete only the first stage may proceed directly with major regional bus and coach companies for further training.

The scheme runs until July 2029 and aims to strengthen the local transport workforce while supporting smaller operators in meeting operational demand.

VPI has become the first company in the UK to receive both environmental and planning approvals for a large-scale carbon capture retrofit using Shell’s Cansolv amine capture system. The project will be installed at VPI’s Immingham Combined Heat and Power Plant, located in the Humber’s energy and refining cluster.

The scheme is expected to capture up to 3.3 million tonnes of carbon dioxide annually, supporting the Viking CCS transport and storage network and providing decarbonisation opportunities for nearby industrial users. The project is positioned next to the UK’s largest port, facilitating both regional and imported energy-intensive operations.

North Lincolnshire Council granted planning permission for the retrofit, which offers a cost-effective alternative to constructing a new decarbonised plant. The Environment Agency issued the environmental permit for the use of the Cansolv system, a post-combustion technology that absorbs carbon dioxide from flue gases using amine solvents.

The development forms part of the UK government-backed Viking CCS initiative, which has received Treasury support. Next stages include formal recognition of the Humber site as an anchor emitter and securing co-funding for continued development, targeted for April 2026.

The project is expected to generate around 20,000 jobs at peak construction and attract £13 billion in private investment to the region. VPI aims to maintain the Humber as a central hub for carbon capture and storage within the current parliamentary term.

Jonathan Briggs, Director of Development and Delivery at VPI, said: “As the government aims to develop the UK’s carbon capture and storage industry, projected to contribute around £30 billion to GDP by 2050, selecting the right projects in the right locations is crucial, especially during times of fiscal restraint. “The permit and planning permission reflect VPI’s dedication to ensuring our project meets one of the key criteria for making CCS a success – delivering the project swiftly and establishing the Humber as a central hub for this emerging industry. We have completed all the necessary preparations at this stage”.

Mablethorpe is scheduled to receive £20 million in funding over the next ten years as part of the government’s Plan for Neighbourhoods Programme. The investment is intended to support local regeneration and place residents at the centre of planning decisions for the town’s development.

The funding will complement the existing £23.9 million Mablethorpe Towns Fund, which has already delivered projects including the Station Leisure and Learning Centre, the Campus for Future Living, and the Seaview Colonnade in Sutton on Sea.

Mablethorpe joins Skegness, Boston, and Spalding in the government’s long-term renewal programme for Lincolnshire. Councils are expected to receive new powers under the Pride in Place initiative to manage community assets, regulate nuisance businesses, and influence the future of local high streets.

Recent funding in East Lindsey has included £24.5 million for the Skegness Towns Fund, £20 million long-term funding for Skegness, and £8.1 million for cultural and heritage projects in Alford and Spilsby. Councillor Craig Leyland described the announcement as “a huge boost for Mablethorpe and for East Lindsey as a whole,” highlighting its potential to drive regeneration and community-led development.

Sizewell C has appointed William Hare Group to supply and install the structural steelwork for the amenity building at its accommodation campus in Suffolk. The two-storey facility will support the project’s out-of-area workforce during the construction of the new nuclear power station.

William Hare, headquartered in Bury, Lancashire, brings decades of nuclear sector experience, including ongoing work at Hinkley Point C. Fabrication of 550 tonnes of steel will be carried out at the company’s Scarborough facility, which uses advanced robotic technology to streamline high-volume production of beams and columns. On-site erection of the steel frame is scheduled to start before the end of 2025.

The contract aligns with Sizewell C’s goal of sourcing 70% of construction value from UK businesses. Nigel Cann, Joint Managing Director of Sizewell C, said: “We are committed to supporting the UK steel industry as we build Sizewell C.” The company has pledged £2.5 billion in investment to the North of England during the project, supporting local jobs and skills development. The accommodation campus is under construction near Leiston on the western edge of the Temporary Construction Area.

The project contributes to the UK’s broader nuclear infrastructure development, combining investment in domestic supply chains with the delivery of low-carbon energy for the long term.