Response to Spring Statement 2019

14 March 2019

Responding to the Spring Statement, Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe, Chair of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and Leader of Bradford Council, said:

"Given the continued uncertainty surrounding Brexit, it was to be expected that this would be a muted Spring Statement. However, the confirmation that the Chancellor will set out future spending plans in the Autumn Budget makes the coming months critical to future investment in the North."

"It is essential that the conclusions of the Spending Review include a clear long-term commitment to address historic underinvestment in the North of England, including support for transformative infrastructure such as Northern Powerhouse Rail with a city centre station in Bradford."

Cllr Judith Blake, Leader of Leeds City Council and Member of the Combined Authority, said:

"The Government urgently needs to clarify its approach to the future funding of regional economic development so we can build on the progress we have already made to improve skills, support business, invest in transport and deliver clean growth."

"We will continue to press government for a long-term funding settlement and the powers that reflect our ambitions for the region and allow us to play our full part in driving UK prosperity."

Roger Marsh OBE, Chair of the NP11 Board and Chair of the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership, said:

"I welcome the Chancellor's renewed commitment to the Northern Powerhouse and look forward to this being reflected in the outcomes of the Spending Review later this year."

"Through the NP11, the North is collaborating to maximise our collective impact on the UK economy and accelerate progress in closing the productivity gap which holds the key to delivering better futures for our communities."