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The West Yorkshire Plan

This is our plan to create a brighter West Yorkshire that works for all. 

West Yorkshire has always been a place bursting with ideas, energy and creativity.

We know that we can only achieve success working together. Our success depends on all parts of the region thriving, contributing, being championed and celebrated. The West Yorkshire Plan sets out our vision and five missions for 2040 that will drive our work to transform lives and communities across the region.

Our vision and missions put equity, diversity and inclusion at the heart of everything we do. We will lead the way to embed these values across all our work.

How was the West Yorkshire Plan developed? The Plan has been developed and will be driven forward by the Combined Authority and five local authority partners, in consultation and partnership with a range of private, public, and voluntary and community sector partners. No one organisation can deliver these ambitions, it is only by the whole region working together that our vision will be realised.

Woman in grocery shop

The West Yorkshire story

Here in West Yorkshire, we do things differently. We are single-minded pioneers, determined and hard-working, ambitious, and creative, and not afraid to take on challenges.

Innovative ideas are our bread and butter, powering the region’s success.

Thanks to our rich history of innovation and industry, we have already paved the way for the emergence of new industries at the cutting edge of health and technology.

Inventing and manufacturing products that will solve challenges of the future - enabling people to live longer, healthier, and greener lives.

Women wearing VR goggles

Our economic strengths

Our strengths lie in advanced manufacturing, a fast-growing digital sector and our global status as a leader in healthcare technology.

Boasting seven internationally renowned universities (with 35,000 graduates a year), 22% of the UK’s digital health jobs and home to the UK’s largest regional finance centre, West Yorkshire has a £74 billion economy.

A prosperous West Yorkshire – an inclusive economy with well paid jobs

By 2040 we will have:

  • Closed the productivity gap between West Yorkshire and the UK
  • Living standards above the national average, with no child growing up in poverty
  • Good quality work available for all
  • A diverse and inclusive workforce, where everyone who wants to work can

A happy West Yorkshire – great places and healthy communities

By 2040 we will have:

  • Happy communities living in well-connected, active neighbourhoods with access to culture and green spaces
  • A truly affordable and high-quality housing offer, meeting the needs of people and communities
  • Healthy life expectancy equalling the national average

A well-connected West Yorkshire – a strong transport system

By 2040 we will have:

  • A sustainable, accessible transport system
  • Reliable and affordable buses, trains, and mass transit
  • A region with healthy people where active travel is the easiest choice for short journeys, car usage is reduced, and the first choice for travel is public transport

A sustainable West Yorkshire – making lives greener

By 2040 we will have:

  • A net zero carbon economy by 2038
  • Growth in the green economy in West Yorkshire

A safe West Yorkshire – a region where everyone can flourish

By 2040 we will have:

  • Neighbourhood crime below the average for comparable areas
  • Lower rates of reoffending
  • Raise confidence in the police and improve feelings of safety amongst women and girls in West Yorkshire
Ilkey Moor

Working together – our partnerships for change

To deliver our missions and meet our 2040 vision, collaboration is key.

The scale of our ambition cannot be achieved in isolation. In West Yorkshire we have a proud history of partnerships which we continue to harness, bringing our passion and pride along with local, national, and international partners to build success.

Through our trusted and established partnerships, we will harness our assets to realise these opportunities for the people and the places of West Yorkshire, creating a brighter West Yorkshire that works for all.

 Ready to learn more about the West Yorkshire Plan?

Aerial image of Woodhouse Lane in Leeds

State of the Region report

Our comprehensive State of the Region Report delivers a thorough analysis of the region using indicators mapped against the five missions of the West Yorkshire Plan. This includes data-driven findings on socio-economic, transport, environment and climate performance in West Yorkshire.

Discover our latest insights into the West Yorkshire Plan by viewing our State of the Region dashboard below, or download an executive summary of the report. To request a copy of the full report, please contact our Research and Intelligence team.

Our policies and strategies

The policies and strategies that support the West Yorkshire Plan are available below.

Police and crime plan 2024-28

Housing strategy 2040

Mass transit vision 2040

Employment and skills framework 2021

Adult education budget strategy 2020

Climate and environment plan 2025

Bus strategy 2040

Innovation framework

Healthtech strategy 2022-2027

Frequently asked questions

Our vision and mission

West Yorkshire Local Growth Plan

Devolution for our region 

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