The Mayor of West Yorkshire has today (5 December) set out a Local Growth Plan that will transform the region, boost the economy and put more money in people’s pockets.
The ten-year Local Growth Plan, published ahead of a meeting of regional leaders next week (12 December), is projected to support the creation of 33,000 new jobs and add £26 billion to the UK economy, according to the West Yorkshire Combined Authority.
The plan sets out the Combined Authority’s commitment to invest £7 billion targeted at supporting businesses to grow, ensuring people have the skills they need to succeed, building a quick and reliable public transport system, and creating vibrant places with affordable and sustainable homes for all.
The five priorities of the Local Growth Plan are:
- Boosting the region’s fastest growing business sectors, including financial and professional services, advanced manufacturing and engineering, life sciences and health technologies, and the creative industries.
- Supporting small and medium-sized businesses to grow and succeed, with greater access to finance, skills, workspace, innovation, markets, promotion, and a supportive eco-system of public-private partnerships.
- Building a region of learning and creativity, where people of all ages and backgrounds can access the qualifications, skills and employment support they need to secure well-paid work and fulfil their potential.
- Creating a better-connected and integrated transport network, with more reliable and frequent bus services under local control, greater rail capacity to reduce congestion and journey times, and a new tram system fully integrated with bus and rail to connect the entire region.
- Developing thriving places, with warm and affordable homes for all, safer communities free from crime and antisocial behaviour, neighbourhoods resilient to flooding and the impacts of climate change, and greater access to culture, heritage and sport for everyone.
Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said: “Our Local Growth Plan will lay the foundations for the renaissance of our great region, transforming the economy and society of West Yorkshire for future generations.
“By ensuring that everyone has the skills they need to succeed, warm, affordable and sustainable homes, and quick and reliable public transport links they can rely on, we’ll enable the creation of thousands of well-paid jobs and help deliver the nation’s growth mission.
“By harnessing the full potential of devolution with a single funding settlement, West Yorkshire will finally be able to forge its own future, and we will create a brighter region that works for all.”
Mandy Ridyard, Business Advisor to the Mayor of West Yorkshire, said: “Our diverse and dynamic businesses form the bedrock of our £66 billion regional economy, and their growth is essential to the delivery of this plan.
“Ensuring they have the skills, investment and access to markets they need to deliver on their business plans will be key to that growth.
“Successful businesses that are growing will help to leverage further investment into our region, creating more well-paid jobs that are instrumental to an inclusive, successful economy.
“With a keen focus on our fastest growing sectors, our new Healthtech & Digital Tech Investment Zone, and further inward investment, we will deliver for the region and the nation.”
Cllr James Lewis, Leader of Leeds City Council and Chair of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority Economy Committee, said: “The launch of the Local Growth Plan marks a real milestone for West Yorkshire.
“It brings together our ambitions of reliable transport, skills for adults, well-paid jobs, and supporting and investing in our businesses meaning we can create a thriving and vibrant region.
“This plan paves the way for future generations to enjoy West Yorkshire for years to come, whether for work, leisure or tourism.”
Developing a Local Growth Plan for West Yorkshire was a central manifesto pledge of Mayor Tracy Brabin and if agreed, it will be adopted locally. This will feed into work the Combined Authority is doing with the Government to develop a statutory Local Growth Plan based on shared priorities and informed by the National Industrial Strategy.
The Combined Authority will also be presented with a draft budget for 2025-26, which sets out initial plans for how funding will be allocated to deliver the ambitions of the Local Growth Plan.
