Regional development agency ‘ready for change’

YORKSHIRE Forward has said it is ready for change as question marks hang over the regional development agency following yesterday’s Emergency Budget.

Chancellor George Osborne said “a new approach” was needed in the different regions of Britain.

Yorkshire Forward today said it was clear that the body tasked with driving the economic development of Yorkshire and the Humber would not continue in its current form.

When the coalition took power it indicated it would scrap RDAs I favour of Local Enterprise Partnerships – comprising local authorities and the private sector – to spearhead economic development in the regions.

However, there was ambiguity as it said some of the RDA structures would be retained in areas where they were popular.

In his speech Mr Osborne said full plans would be announced later in the summer but there were indications a major overhaul was in the offing.

He said: “Over the past decade the British economy has become deeply unbalanced.

“Nowhere are these disparities as marked as between the different regions of Britain.

“Between 1998 and 2008, for every private sector job generated in the North and the Midlands, 10 were created in London and the South.

“We need a new approach.

“One that empowers local leadership, generates local economic growth, and promotes job creation in all parts of the country.”

A spokesperson for Yorkshire Forward said: “It is clear that Yorkshire Forward will not continue in its current form.

“We accept change is coming and we are ready for it.  However, this is as much about the functions performed in the region as their form.

“We have a talented and highly effective workforce within the organisation and in the wider region; making a real difference on the ground and working in partnership for the economic development of Yorkshire and Humber.

“The future of any local economic partnership arrangements are in the hands of our locally-elected councillors and business leaders, and we are confident that they will advocate a way forward that is right for the people and businesses of Yorkshire and Humber.”