County needs £750m for Covid-19 recovery, say leaders

GOVERNMENT INVESTMENT of £750m is needed to help West Yorkshire recover from coronavirus, local leaders have said.

The West Yorkshire Combined Authority has asked for the funding and support from Chancellor Rishi Sunak, with a focus on four pillars.

Developed by the West Yorkshire Economic Recovery Board, the plans build on the region’s strengths in digital, manufacturing and entrepreneurship, and the opportunities of the transition to a net zero carbon economy.

If delivered, leaders believe they would unlock benefits for the region and the UK as a whole. But they warn that without action the pandemic could lead to 58,000 job losses in the region and see the West Yorkshire economy shrink by £12bn this year alone.

Susan Hinchcliffe, Chair of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and Leader of Bradford Council, said: “Through our £1.8bn devolution deal, the Government has shown that it understands the value of investing in West Yorkshire, and we have a strong track record of making the most of public spending to generate growth for our region’s economy.

“Our plan has identified areas where we can build on our region’s unique strengths to make a real difference and contribute to the leveling-up agenda.”

The Government has committed to supporting regions in coronavirus recovery, with £1.6bn put towards scaling up employment support schemes, training and apprenticeships.

Measures announced by Mr Sunak also included the creation of tens of thousands of jobs through bringing forward work on £8.8bn of new infrastructure, decarbonisation and maintenance projects.