Landmark Devolution Deal for West Yorkshire

West Yorkshire reached a key milestone on the way to becoming a Mayoral Combined Authority as the Order for its multimillion-pound devolution deal was laid in Parliament by Minister for Regional Growth and Local Government, Luke Hall MP.

Subject to Parliamentary approval, the region’s first ever Mayoral elections will take place on 6 May 2021. The newly elected Mayor and Mayoral Combined Authority will have control over an annual £38 million investment fund, as well as new powers over transport, education and housing and planning. The new Mayor of West Yorkshire will also become the region’s Police and Crime Commissioner.

The deal comprises control of a new, flexible single pot of funding for economic growth of £38 million per year for 30 years, meaning the Mayoral Combined Authority will have access to more than £1.1 billion in total to be invested in the region.

This is on top of further investment, including:

• £317 million from the Transforming Cities Fund
• £101 million government funding for West Yorkshire flood risk management schemes
• £25 million Heritage Fund
• £3.2 million to support the development of housing sites across West Yorkshire
• Up to £500,000 for the Bradford Station Masterplan and funding for the Outline Business Case for Leeds station redevelopment
• £75,000 for a West Yorkshire Local Digital Skills Partnership

This is a significant step in the Government’s ambitious agenda to level up opportunity and prosperity across the country. It will also provide critical support to the economic recovery of West Yorkshire communities from the impact of COVID-19.

Minister for Regional Growth and Local Government, Luke Hall MP, said: “I have laid the Order before Parliament which, if approved, will implement the West Yorkshire Devolution Deal, bringing new powers and tens of millions of pounds a year in new funding to West Yorkshire.

“This deal is part of our ambitious agenda to level up and deliver devolution across the country.

“It is a significant step towards delivering real benefits to the people of Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees, Leeds and Wakefield, putting decision-making in the hands of these communities and ensuring local leaders have the tools they need to drive forward the region’s recovery from the pandemic.”

The Order will now be considered by both Houses of Parliament, and if approved will be signed into law in the coming months.

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