Mayor hails Yorkshire as ‘Powerhouse of industry, innovation and creativity’
West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin declared herself a “friend of business” and said her region is now ready to agree to a new deal for funding and responsibilities.
Speaking at TheBusinessDesk.com’s Business of Yorkshire Conference, Brabin said West Yorkshire will get a Single Settlement funding package from the Government by 2026 – as has previously been agreed for Greater Manchester and the West Midlands.
The Single Settlement will reduce reporting requirements and give West Yorkshire Combined Authority greater long-term certainty and flexibility to reallocate money in line with local needs and priorities.
Brabin said: “I do believe we have a government that is genuinely committed to devolution. The devolution genie is not going back into the bottle.
“We must jump at the opportunity to have more autonomy over our region and to close the productivity gap.
“Devolution has helped us be more agile and responsive. We’re ready to deliver for the whole of West Yorkshire and we’ll work with other mayors across the North. I know we can put the North onto a new trajectory for growth.”
She added the region had always been innovative, with Leeds now boasting the UK’s highest rate of fastest growing businesses outside London, and the Sunday Times naming Leeds as the best place to live in the north and north east of England in its 2024 Best Places to Live guide.
She highlighted tech giant Microsoft’s plans to build a hyperscale data centre at the site of the former Skelton Grange power station as an example of the opportunities West Yorkshire has to expand its economy.
Brabin said: “Yorkshire is a powerhouse of industry, innovation and creativity. Sectors such as health and life sciences, advanced manufacturing and professional services are flourishing, but we need to do more.
“We plan to address West Yorkshire’s output gap, which has left our economy £11bn smaller than it should be.
“It’s shameful that woman-led and founded companies get so little investment – that’s something I’m focused on putting right.”
Brabin also said she aims to dramatically increase foreign investment in West Yorkshire by 2030 and will be collaborating with employers to identify the main skills gaps in the region’s industries.
