Wind of change

It is, therefore, encouraging that the Sheffield-based MTL Group is one of eight manufacturers to benefit from a 10m package to develop

offshore wind turbines.

This is a significant announcement. It shows that the Government sees offshore wind as a key component of a wider energy policy, and this has to be good news for Yorkshire's economy.

However, this burgeoning industry will only be able to fulfil its potential, and help keep the lights burning, if the infrastructure of the Humber's ports is improved – and longstanding access difficulties tackled.

Here is the rub. The Government could afford to payout 10m yesterday – but it may not be able to provide 60m that has already been earmarked towards the regeneration of ports along the East Coast, including those on the Humber.

Of course, Ministers should expect the businesses concerned to look at funding options; there is much to admire about the pragmatism shown, in recent times, by Yorkshire's rural communities.

Yet, at some stage, the Government is going to have to consider the long-term benefits of such schemes and realise that any expenditure now will be handsomely recouped in the future if it enables thousands of new jobs to be created in one of the country's most deprived areas, and also staves off a potential energy crisis.

That is why Ministers have to start looking at the bigger picture and ensuring that there is an element of joined-up policy-making.