‘Nobody knows what post-Brexit Britain will look like’
DAN JARVIS: Mayor says he is ‘determined to ensure our region’s economic growth continues’. YORKSHIRE’S ONLY metro mayor says preparing his region for Brexit is the key to everything he does and the “prism through which I view my mayoralty”.
Dan Jarvis, who was elected as mayor of the Sheffield City Region last summer, said that regardless of how the UK leaves the European Union, “it’s my job as mayor to do all I can to ensure our region’s communities and businesses do not become poorer post-Brexit”.
The Barnsley MP said: “(Preparing for Brexit) is key to everything that we do, from creating good jobs to attracting investment, growing an inclusive economy and building infrastructure fit for the 21st century.
“I’ve already submitted evidence to the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Post-Brexit funding, and joined with mayors across the UK to argue that post-Brexit funding should be devolved to regional decision-makers.
“Now, the Sheffield City Region Growth Hub is publishing a toolkit for all businesses where they will be able to carry out a self-assessment which will advise them about their strengths and weakness in six key areas, including innovation and skills.
“Even though it’s a matter of weeks away, nobody really knows what a post-Brexit Britain might look like. Make no mistake; whatever comes to pass, I am determined to ensure our region’s economic growth continues.”
The majority of MPs in Labourdominated South Yorkshire say they will vote against the Prime Minister’s Brexit deal next week.
Doncaster MP Caroline Flint, one of the few Labour MPs who has previously suggested she may be willing to support it, said: “The Sheffield City Region is right to seek to prepare businesses for the potential shock of a No Deal Brexit. I have not had one business appeal to me to support No Deal.”
At Prime Minister’s Questions this week, Sheffield MP Gill Furniss pressed Mrs May for assurances that no deal would be avoided for the sake of her constituents employed in the steel sector.