Tory and Labour vow to not use mayoral tax powers

THE TWO main candidates in the West Yorkshire mayoral race have said they would not take advantage of devolution powers to impose new taxes on the region.

Conservative pick Matt Robinson yesterday pledged to forgo powers under the devolution deal which would allow him, if elected, to add an extra precept on to council tax bills in West Yorkshire.

Mr Robinson said: “As a mayoral candidate I’ve talked about West Yorkshire being a land of opportunity for all.

“And that means not coming into office and immediately taxing people more but rather using every penny in every pound of the mayoral budget better so we ensure it’s delivering results before asking the residents of West Yorkshire for more, especially when so many have struggled through the pandemic.”

He said his opponents should either join him in the pledge, or reveal how much they would add to bills.

And approached by The Yorkshire Post, Labour’s candidate Tracy Brabin said: “The new metro mayor will take over the role and budgets of the police and crime commissioner and the combined authority. Portions of those budgets will continue to be funded through the existing council tax precept but I have no intention of introducing an additional precept. People in West Yorkshire have been taxed enough.”

The new mayor will have access to a £1bn budget.

Also standing in the race are Stewart Golton (Liberal Democrats), Andrew Cooper (Green Party), Bob Buxton (Yorkshire Party), and Therese Hirst (English Democrats).