West Yorkshire devolution deal signed into law

West Yorkshire is set to get its own directly-elected mayor and combined authority, after a devolution deal for the region was signed into law.

According to the government, the mayor will oversee an annual £38m budget, new powers over transport, education and housing and regeneration, as well as control of the adult education budget.

In total, this means that the mayoral combined authority will have access to over £1.1 billion to invest into the region.

The mayor of West Yorkshire will also become the region’s police and crime commissioner.

‘Today represents a historic moment for West Yorkshire as we deliver a deal giving significant new powers and over a billion pounds of new funding to the region,’ said local government minister, Luke Hall.

‘It will deliver real benefits to Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees, Leeds and Wakefield, putting decision-making in the hands of these communities, driving the regional economy and creating new jobs for local people.

‘Getting this deal over the line is an important milestone in our ambitious levelling up agenda, moving power away from Whitehall empowering our regions to build back better,’ added Mr Hall.

Northern Powerhouse Minister Grant Shapps added: ‘We are investing billions to level up the North and build a strong and dynamic Northern Powerhouse. That must be backed by providing local leaders with the powers and means to make decisions.

‘I look forward to working with the first mayor of West Yorkshire, both directly and through the Northern Transport Acceleration Council, to deliver the infrastructure upgrades communities want and deserve as quickly as possible.’

Photo Credit – Northern_Punkie (Pixabay)