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Roula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, selects her favourite stories in this weekly newsletter.

The UK government has announced up to £21.7bn of support to get the country’s first carbon capture and storage projects up and running, in a big moment for the nascent industry but one which highlights the costs involved.

Ministers said the funding, over 25 years, would support two undersea carbon storage sites and pipelines, with the capacity to store over 8.5mn tons of carbon dioxide per year combined, as well as carbon capture at three planned projects to produce hydrogen, power and energy-from-waste. The projects are in Teesside and Merseyside, northern England.

The UK emitted 384.2mn tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent in 2023, according to provisional government figures.

Nonetheless, the move marked the first step towards getting the industry off the ground in the UK and an attempt to inject confidence about the government’s seriousness about the sector.

However, the three industrial sites receiving support to attach carbon capture technology to their projects fall short of the eight which entered negotiations with the government last year. The prospects of support are now unclear for the remainder.

The government also did not give any specifics about support for the next batch of capture and storage projects chosen by the previous government to be next in line for support, in Scotland and the Humber region.

A Labour party aide said it remained committed to the industry in “Humberside, Scotland and elsewhere around the country,” adding, “this is our first step, and we will set out our future plans in due course.”

The government said its support, of up to £21.7bn, to be funded by a mixture of levies on energy bills and Treasury funding, should attract about £8bn of private investment into the projects.

The government is keen to highlight its ability to secure private financial backing for the UK ahead of its international investment summit on October 14.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the government was “reigniting our industrial heartlands” and the support will “give industry the certainty it needs”.

CCS involves trapping carbon dioxide as it is produced, compressing it and pumping it underground, sometimes into depleted oil and gas reservoirs, to avoid it being released into the atmosphere.

The technology is seen as key to the UK’s legally binding goal of cutting carbon emissions to net zero by 2050, but questions linger about its commercial and technical feasibility at scale.

Carbon capture capacity globally reached about 51mn tonnes last year, according to BloombergNEF, or 0.14 per cent of global emissions, including projects in the US, Canada and Norway. 

Previous government attempts to support the industry, in 2011 and 2015, were dropped at the last minute.

In 2023, Jeremy Hunt, then Tory chancellor, committed £20bn of investment in CCS projects over two decades. But none of that funding was made available before this year’s general election. 

The planned carbon storage sites to secure support are Italian oil giant Eni’s project in Liverpool Bay, in the north-west, and the Northern Endurance Partnership off the coast of Teesside, in the north-east, being developed by BP, Equinor and TotalEnergies.

One of the planned power projects to win support is BP and Equinor’s planned Net Zero Teesside gas-fired power station. Lord Ben Houchen, Tees Valley mayor, said work should start by the end of this year, creating 4,000 construction jobs.

The Protos energy-from-waste plant being developed by Encyclis and Biffa in Cheshire; and a hydrogen production plant being developed by Essar at its oil refinery in Stanlow, are the other two industrial sites which have secured support to capture their emissions.

Some scientists and environmentalists believe industry is using CCS to prolong the life of fossil fuel assets. However, groups including the Climate Change Committee, which advises the government, believe it is necessary for the UK to meet climate targets. 

Climate Capital

Where climate change meets business, markets and politics. Explore the FT’s coverage here.

Are you curious about the FT’s environmental sustainability commitments? Find out more about our science-based targets here

A beloved pie shop that featured in a Channel 4 show is closing after 50 years of business.

Potts Pies in Lancaster first opened in 1973 and caught the attention of the Hairy Bikers.

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The owner, Donna Crossley, who started working at the shop in 1992, left customers shocked by the news.

“I did not ever think I’d be writing this, but it’s time to hang my apron up,” she wrote in an emotional Facebook post.

“I would like to thank each and every one of you, it’s had his ups and downs, mainly ups.

“It’s not been easy over the last few years as some of you know. I will leave here with my head held high and be proud of what I’ve done,” she added.

Gutted by the news, locals praised Donna and her team.

“End of an era, lots of amazing memories and generations of workers and customers,” one wrote.

“Potts Pies will always have a place in my heart, my grandad used to work there years ago,” said another.

“I would like to wish the new owner all the best and good luck for what you turn it into,” echoed a third.

Donna said the highlight of her time at the shop was the day the late Dave Myers and Si King paid a visit.

Potts Pies was launched by Joe and Vena Potts in 1973 before it was taken over by the Walsh family in 1988.

It expanded and had shops in Morecambe, Toorisholme, Bare and Bolton le-Sands.

The business struggled in the last few years and Donna only employed two staff members who made pies twice a week.

The shop has been sold to new owners, but it’s not known what they plan on doing with the space.

TWO huge chains have already started getting into the festive spirit.

Christmas favourites will be returning to menus at Costa Coffee and Greggs.

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The coffee chain will be serving up their much-loved Terry’s Chocolate Orange Muffin, while Greggs will be dishing out the Sweet Mince pies.

They are following in the footsteps of supermarkets which have already started stocking shelves with festive food.

The wider Christmas menus will be rolled out later in the year.

Costa Coffee

The coffee shop is bringing back it’s own spin on the humble, yet mouthwatering, mince pie.

The Mince Tart is gluten-free and suitable for vegans and looks almost too good to eat.

Adorned with a pastry star and a sprinkle of icing sugar, the slice is the perfect treat to accompany a frothy coffee.

For those who love a classic, the traditional All Butter Mince Pie has also returned to Costa.

The beloved Terry’s Chocolate Orange Muffin is perfect for chocolate lovers, featuring a rich chocolate and orange muffin filled with sauce in the same flavour.

The sweet treat is topped with a Terry’s segment.

Greggs

The best way to kick off the start of the festive season is undoubtedly with a Greggs Sweet Mince Pie, which fans can indulge in from just 65p per pie.

For those looking to spread the festive cheer with their friends and family, a pack of six Sweet Mince Pies is available from only £2.25.

Vegan lovers of Greggs can also savour the festive favourite, as the vegan-friendly recipe consists of a crumbly shortcrust pastry, filled with a sweet mincemeat made from vine fruits, Bramley apple, candied orange and lemon peel.

For those of you who aren’t quite ready for Christmas just yet, Greggs has launched its Halloween range.

Fans can enjoy the festive and Halloween feels with a Sweet and Hot Drink Deal, pairing one of the new sweet menu items with a hot drink from just £2.85.

The new Pumpkin biscuit, a ginger biscuit coated in Fairtrade milk chocolate, is available from just £1.25.

The Spooky Bun, a vanilla flavour fairy bun dipped in fondant icing and topped with spine-chilling sugar decorations is also available from only £1.00.

For Greggs fans organising feasts for friends and family this Halloween, the Spooky Bun is also available as a pack of four from £3.15.

This comes after Sainsbury’s shoppers were shocked to find mince pies on sale in early September.

The gobsmacked customer wrote in the caption: “Stock up on your mince pies (take in Sainsbury’s a few days ago, so it was actually August!!!!).”

Another shopper who stumbled upon the Christmas treats in the major supermarket also took to X, and wrote: “On Sept 1 I walked into my local Sainsbury and what did I see on the shelves?

Tesco’s Christmas range has been slowly making its way into supermarkets and, with the festive season now on the horizon with under 100 days to go, the goods will soon be available at all of its 4,000 branches.

ASDA also unveiled its Christmas menu and customers can snap up spiced rum mince pies and parmesan and truffle pigs in blankets.

For the first time ever, Asda has launched its first signature flavour – brown butter and spiced dark rum.

The flavour runs through a number of the festive food items ,including brown butter and spice dark rum mince pies and a slow cooked turkey with dark rum and brown butter stuffing.

There’s something for all palates and preferences too, with 57 new vegan and 35 new free from products included in the range.

Customers will be able to pick up no-meat turkeys, mushroom pigs in blankets and smoky aubergine bacon.

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A TOP chef who worked in Michelin star kitchens and cooked for the US president has seen the doors of his popular restaurant chained shut.

Tarek Thoma owns a string of successful restaurants in Middlesbrough, but his venue, Oven, is set to be ripped away.

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Chains were spotted wrapped around the doors while eviction notices have been slapped on windows.

It is understood landlords took possession of the £500,000 eatery.

Devastated fans shared their fury on social media, one wrote: “After booking a table at the Oven Restaurant Middlesbrough on Monday for tonight for 14 people for a special occasion we turned up to find the establishment chained up and a possession order stuck to the door.”

Another added: ” “Feel sorry for the staff and owner. Always always nice food and service, one of the better restaurants in Middlesbrough.”

Meanwhile an eviction notice taped to the windows read: “To all and any others this may concern. Take notice that the landlord has this day 2 October, 2024, exercised their right to peaceably re-enter and take possession of this premises known as ground floor, 202-204 Linthorpe Road, Middlesbrough, TS1 3QW.

“Any lease or license is hereby determined. This property is now legally occupied by the landlords.

“Any attempt to break into this property will be classed as an attempt to break into this property will be classed as a criminal offence and will be reported to the police.”

Taerek also runs the popular Bazaar, in Captain Cook Square, from which an employee confirmed the downfall of Oven.

A spokesperson for the landlords, Pneuma Group, claimed there had been problems with the tenancy which resulted in the “difficult decision to re-enter our premises”.

Oven was created nearly 10 years ago after opening its doors to hungry customers, and 45 employees, in 2015.

Mr Thoma poured £500,000 into the business, and vowed to provide a Michelin experience for affordable prices.

Outside there is a generous, and stylish seating area, while inside holds enough space for up to 160 people.

The menu offered British, French, Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine, meaning there was something for everyone.

Dishes were prepared by chefs who learnt from professionals with Michelin star training.

Tarek himself previously cooked for President George and Prime Minister Tony Blair.

Tarek, who has also worked at Michelin-starred restaurants including the L’Escargot in London and Chapter One in Kent, previously said: “My staff and I are looking forward to welcoming guests to Oven and serving them with Michelin star-style food at very affordable prices.

“This area of Middlesbrough is becoming a hive of culinary activity and Oven will bring something different to this growing gastronomic scene.”

The Sun contacted Tarek Thoma for comment.

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