Yorkshire devolution talks ‘are a step forward’

A GOVERNMENT Minister has described talks over a possible West Yorkshire devolution deal to take place in Leeds today as “a significant step forward” for efforts to transfer powers and funding to a metro mayor for the county.

Treasury Minister Simon Clarke and Northern Powerhouse Minister Jake Berry will meet the leaders of Leeds, Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield councils as part of what is described as a “devolution dash” across Yorkshire this week.

Talks are also being held with leaders in the East Riding and Hull, the Sheffield City Region and North Yorkshire and York so they can begin to close the gap with mayoral authorities in Manchester, Liverpool and the Tees Valley.

The deal being discussed in West Yorkshire would see the county take control of extra powers and funding from Westminster, giving them more responsibility over local services.

Such a deal failed to get government support in 2015 and last year Ministers rejected a ‘One Yorkshire’ arrangement which would have seen a metro mayor set up for the whole region.

Exchequer Secretary Mr Clarke said: “We are determined to level-up opportunities so that all communities, including those here in West Yorkshire, get their fair share of our future prosperity.”

West Yorkshire leaders said in a statement: “We welcome the positive tone the Government has struck ahead of this meeting, including on the important role of collaboration at a Yorkshire level, and hope they will match the scale of ambition we have for this deal.

“We are ready to work quickly to secure an agreement which ensures the City Region is in the best possible position to improve the quality of life of our communities in the years to come.”