Budget responses (1)

Responding to today�s Budget announcement, West Yorkshire Combined Authority Chair Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe said:

�The Chancellor�s announcement that the Office for Budget Responsibility has downgraded the UK�s forecast growth figures makes it even more important that all parts of the country including West Yorkshire and Leeds City Region are able to play their full part in supporting the country�s economy, as we set out in our �200m Budget Submission.

�Our proposals included measures to increase productivity, develop sustainable initiatives and combat the pockets of persistent deprivation that exist across our region, which are all in line with the Chancellor�s stated aims today.

�We now need this government to work with us to put measures in place, including a meaningful devolution deal for Yorkshire that will enable us to use local expertise and commitment to make the decisions on policy and investment required to boost our economy and ensure our region plays its full part as a UK Powerhouse as well as a Northern one.�

Investment Committee Chair Cllr Peter Box said: �With West Yorkshire and the Leeds City Region�s digital technologies sector already taking a leading role in transforming businesses across globe, I was pleased to hear the Chancellor acknowledge the importance of new tech industries in his Budget announcement today.

�In line with our �200m Budget Submission, we need to see ongoing backing from the government that enables us to continue our work developing and supporting the innovative small and medium enterprises that are contributing to us becoming the acknowledged Fintech capital of the North.

�And we need to be able to develop help local people access the education, training and apprenticeships that ensure they have the skills they need to be part of these burgeoning industries.�
�50 million for five years to secure the Leeds City Region�s world-leading med-tech position with new scale-up support, linked to the Leeds Innovation District.

Transport Committee Chair Cllr Keith Wakefield said: �Given West Yorkshire and the Leeds City Regions geographically and economically central role in the Northern Powerhouse, I share the Northern Powerhouse Partnership�s disappointment that we will be having to bid for a share of the half of the new Transforming Cities Fund not already committed to other areas.

�Working with our district councils, transport operators and other partners, we are already delivering major improvements on road, bus and rail as well as investing in schemes which encourage more people to walk and cycle to work.

�We will be writing to Phillip Hammond and Transport Secretary Chris Grayling to highlight our strong track record in delivering transport schemes designed to improve connectivity and support economic growth and to set out our claim for a share of the Fund that counters the legacy of transport underspending in our region.�

Download West Yorkshire Combined Authority's �200m Budget Submission (new tab).

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