Business case for One Yorkshire ‘very compelling’ says CBI chief
One Yorkshire support grows
THE CASE for a Yorkshire-wide devolution settlement has been described as “very compelling” by one of the UK’s top business leaders.
Josh Hardie, deputy director general of the CBI, told The Yorkshire Post that a recent study outlining how the so-called One Yorkshire proposal would add billions to the region’s economy, had a great deal of merit and was worth pursuing.
Mr Hardie added that the time for arguing over a settlement had to end and that a unified voice from the region on devolved powers would be hard for Government to ignore.
He added that there was a clear trend of central Government targeting areas with elected metro mayors and that regions lacking a local political structure risked being left behind.
An independent study published this month by consultants Steer Economic Development showed that a One Yorkshire mayor could add as much as £30bn a year to the region’s economy by boosting its low level of exports and creating more businesses.
Mr Hardie said: “I think the data produced recently is very, very compelling for a Yorkshirewide deal.
“It shows the many billions that it could add to the local economy. I would not say that there is absolute unity on what’s the best way forward is but it is so useful to have that data out there.
“In a sense our job now is working with the business community because the best way to get that deal, whether it is region-wide or city by city, is consistent voice from local Government and business saying this is where we want to go. That is something Government will listen to.
“A One Yorkshire approach has huge benefits. Now we need to work that through with businesses to come together and focus on one solution.”
Yorkshire-wide devolution is favoured by 18 of the region’s 20 councils, as well as South Yorkshire mayor Dan Jarvis.
However central Government continues to insist the beleaguered Sheffield City Region deal must be fully implemented first.
The CBI’s deputy director general has said parts of the UK which have come to devolution agreements were reaping its benefits but also cautioned about rushing into a decision on what Yorkshire should do for fear of making the wrong move.
“At some point a decision has to be made and arguing has to stop,” he said. “I wouldn’t say that we should rush that, we could end up coming to the wrong conclusion. That is why it is so useful having this data out there. We need to use that to assess against different models, but then a decision has to be taken.
“There is a risk of regions being left behind in the way that Government is rolling out devolution at the moment.
“Money is being targeted at metro mayors. You can see the impact that good grouping can have in terms of growth.
“The focus has to be on helping those regions that can form their units push ahead but at the same time making sure those that can’t do not fall behind because then you are punishing individuals in those areas.”
He added: “There is not a silver bullet. The best shot is to get as combined and coherent and consistent a voice together across regional politics.
“If everybody in the region puts their differences aside and says this our best chance of getting a good deal then it forces the mind of central Government and makes it harder to ignore and harder, frankly, to divide and conquer.”
A One Yorkshire approach has huge benefits. Josh Hardie, deputy director general of the CBI.
THE FUTURE direction – and leadership – of this region depends in no small part on Cabinet minister James Brokenshire’s response to the independent report which concluded that One Yorkshire devolution could, potentially, be worth up to £30bn a year to the region.
Yet support for a countywide devolution deal is growing and Lib Dem peer Baroness Pinnock suggested in the House of Lords that Ministers were becoming “frightened of the size of Yorkshire” and its potential power. She could be onto something.
And then there’s the intervention of Josh Hardie, the deputy director general of the CBI. A national business leader observing the debate from afar, he believes the economic data in support of One Yorkshire is “very compelling” and there now needs to be a focus on “one solution”.
This is already happening thanks to Dr John Sentamu, the Archbishop of York, who has brought political, business and civic leaders together to develop a policy prospectus that answers every question asked of the Government.
The bigger challenge is actually persuading Mr Brokenshire to engage with the process when he remains so aloof and defers to others. Appointed nearly six months ago at the end of April, he’s still to visit Yorkshire to meet local leaders. He should do so. And, if not, One Yorkshire needs to make its case even more effectively to Chancellor Philip Hammond in the hope that he pulls rank because of his seniority. He has been previously sympathetic to devolution and will not need reminding of the very simple fact that a resurgent Yorkshire is also in the national economic interest.