Devolution

Through partnership we are determined to unleash our region’s full potential and in doing so raise living standards for our communities while making a full contribution to the UK economy. We are now taking the next step to deepen our partnership through this devolution deal which will unlock significant long-term funding and, critically, give our region greater freedom to decide how best to meet local needs and create new opportunity.

Making history: A landmark £1.8 billion devolution deal

West Yorkshire is strongest when it works together to deliver for all its communities. Our partnership has grown and strengthened over more than a decade, from the Leeds City Region Leaders Board to the West Yorkshire Combined Authority working with the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership. In March 2020, that partnership was strengthened even further when the five councils of West Yorkshire agreed the largest ever devolution deal with the Government.

This historic and transformative £1.8 billion deal includes a Government commitment to support the development of a West Yorkshire Mass Transit System and investment from the Transforming Cities Fund which, with the other resources available through the deal, will enable the delivery of the full pipeline of West Yorkshire transport projects submitted in the region’s bid.

The deal includes a new Mayor for West Yorkshire who will be elected in May 2021 to give our region a stronger national voice, and the transfer of policing and crime powers.

The deal is just the beginning. Becoming a Mayoral Combined Authority will empower West Yorkshire to continue working with the Government to secure further powers and funding to achieve our long-term ambitions.

We are determined to unleash our region’s full potential and in doing so raise living standards for our communities while making a full contribution to the UK economy

A new chapter

Through partnership we are determined to unleash our region’s full potential and in doing so raise living standards for our communities while making a full contribution to the UK economy.

through devolution, we are now taking the next steps to deepen our partnership through this devolution deal which will unlock significant long-term funding and, critically, give our region greater freedom to decide how best to meet local needs and create new opportunity.

The deal

The agreement, the biggest ever of its kind, includes a Government commitment to support the development of a West Yorkshire Mass Transit System and investment from the Transforming Cities Fund which, with the other resources available through the deal, will enable the delivery of the full pipeline of West Yorkshire transport projects submitted in the region’s bid.

The deal also includes a new West Yorkshire Investment Fund, money to develop plans for future housing sites and a new heritage fund which will support the creation of a new British Library North.

Our devolution deal brings:

  • £38m for 30 years into West Yorkshire Investment Fund with a 25%/75% capital/revenue split
  • Government commitment to work with West Yorkshire to develop modern mass transit system through access to a new five-year integrated transport settlement
  • £317m from the Transforming Cities Fund to dramatically improve access to public transport, cycling and walking
  • Access to bus franchising powers
  • Control of the £65m annual Adult Education Budget for West Yorkshire to closer align spending on skills to the opportunities and needs in the local economy
  • A £25m fund to support the development of a British Library North in Leeds
  • £500,000 of Government funding to support master-planning in Bradford City Centre to maximise regeneration opportunities from Northern Powerhouse Rail
  • Funding for the next stage of development of the Outline Business Case for Leeds station redevelopment.
  • The creation of a West Yorkshire Mayor to be elected in May 2021
  • The transfer of policing and crime powers from the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner 
  • Government commitment to engage with the Combined Authority on priorities emerging from the Future Ready Skills Commission
  • Access to the Government’s new Brownfield Regeneration Fund to support housing growth and £3.2m to support the development of a pipeline of housing sites across West Yorkshire.
  • £200,000 funding to support the work of the Yorkshire Leaders Board

Related information

  1. Adult Education Budget

    As part of the Landmark West Yorkshire Devolution Deal, we have taken over responsibility for the region’s £65 million annual Adult Education Budget.

  3. The success story so far...

    West Yorkshire is strongest when it works together to deliver for all its communities. Our partnership has grown and strengthened over more than a decade. Evidence of that partnership’s success is all around us.

Related news

  1. West Yorkshire Combined Authority invests over £1million into the future of a skilled workforce for the construction industry

    • 11 October 2021

    Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire visited Leeds College of Building on Friday (8.10.21), to celebrate the college receiving over £1million of grant funding from the West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s Adult Education Budget (AEB), allocated to give adults the skills needed by West Yorkshire’s construction industry. The Mayor also took a tour of the new South Bank campuses, one of which was part funded by the Combined Authority.

  2. Mayor of West Yorkshire endorses £17million fund to support over 7000 adult learners across West Yorkshire

    • 21 September 2021

    Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire met with students and teaching staff at Leeds City College Quarry Hill Campus this week, to mark a £17million Grant funding allocation between West Yorkshire Combined Authority and Luminate Education Group.

  4. Landmark West Yorkshire Devolution Deal Becomes Law

    • 29 January 2021

    The landmark £1.8 billion West Yorkshire devolution deal became law today, after the devolution order was approved by the House of Commons and the House of Lords, and signed into law by Minister for Regional Growth and Local Government, Luke Hall MP.

See all related stories