THE North-East is being left behind in the race for lucrative jobs in green energy, an MP has warned.

Iain Wright, the Labour MP for Hartlepool, described the Government’s Energy Bill as a wasted opportunity that betrayed Teesside’s plans to lead the world in the 21st Century, as it did in the 19th.

He said uncertainty about a promised green investment bank and delays to offshore energy generation were undermining confidence in the North-East.

He told MPs: “I do not see the ambitions of my area, Hartlepool and Teesside, matched by the Government’s actions in the Bill.

“I fear that in five, ten or 15 years’ time we will be reflecting on how we could have been pioneers of a groundbreaking world industry – but are instead rueing the loss of jobs, ambition, wealth and climate stability.”

The warning came as the Bill cleared its first Commons hurdle, hailed by Chris Huhne, the Lib Dem Energy Secretary, as the most comprehensive energy-saving plan in the world.

It will set up the Green Deal, offering financial help to families and firms to make energy efficiency improvements.

Mr Wright said few would oppose the Bill’s intentions, but highlighted weaknesses, including:

• Energy investment in the pipeline in the North-East, worth £6bn over the next decade, is less than other nations;
• The UK has fallen from third to 13th in the world for investment in green growth;
• The Green Investment Bank will not be allowed to borrow funds until 2015;
• Delays to round three of the project to build giant offshore wind farms, including in the North Sea.