Metro mayors warn against any ‘unnatural’ devolution deals as uncertainty continues

TWO OF the country’s most high-profile metro mayors have cautioned Yorkshire politicians against “forcing” a devolution deal that is not a “natural” economic or cultural fit.

Speaking at a fringe event in Manchester, the West Midlands mayor Andy Street and Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen stressed that for devolution to succeed it must have an “economic logic”.

Their comments come amid ongoing uncertainty over the future of the South Yorkshire agreement, after Doncaster and Barnsley councils pulled their support.

Momentum is now growing behind a One Yorkshire deal that would bring together councils across all four Yorkshire counties.

Pressed for their take on the situation in Yorkshire, both Mr Street and Mr Houchen told the

that it is up to each individual region to determine the most effective devolution model for their needs. They also emphasised the role of businesses in securing a deal, calling on them to “speak up and not allow this to be a conversation for local government officers” and MPs.

However, Mr Houchen went on to suggest Yorkshire leaders could struggle to cope with the diverse economic and social needs to the region if brought under one deal.

He told :“I think the people need to decide... is a one Yorkshire deal the right thing to do?

“While everybody from Yorkshire – including myself – tells everybody that they’re from Yorkshire, if you’re from York you don’t necessarily have the same affinity with people from Sheffield or Bradford.

“It makes sense to get an economic area that fits together both from an economic perspective and a community perspective.

“The difficulty with the Yorkshire deal (is) trying to get everybody singing from the same hymn sheet.”

Mr Street pointed out a key part of the West Midlands settlement was proving “there was an economic logic to it”.

“I wouldn’t be forcing deals on places that aren’t a natural economic area,” he said.