Dan Peters 18 March 2015

Budget 2015: West Yorkshire 'disappointed' by devolution deal

Chancellor George Osborne confirmed an agreement on a ‘new City Deal’ with the West Yorkshire combined authority in his Budget speech today.

The combined authority struck the growth deal despite resisting pressure from the Treasury to accept an elected mayor, as in Greater Manchester.

A spokesman for the West Yorkshire combined authority said the deal allowed for ‘negotiations on further devolution of powers and investment with any future governance changes being subject to consultation by the combined authority’.

Combined authority leaders admitted the deal ‘fell short’ of the city region’s economic ambitions but called it a ‘starting point’.

Chair of the authority, Cllr Peter Box, said: ‘The deal is disappointing and doesn’t match the scale of our ambition.

‘It undermines the Government’s claim to want a strong Northern Powerhouse.

‘If we are to turn that into a reality we need real devolution, including fiscal devolution, to enable us to bring about a step change in the city region’s economy.’ Leeds City Council leader, Cllr Keith Wakefield, added the deal was ‘no compensation’ for the £470m of cuts that the region’s councils have had to deliver.

He added: ‘We shall continue to lobby and campaign for the greater powers and resources, including fiscal powers, that we need to achieve our ambitions and start the process of tackling the north-south economic divide.’

The deal is in marked contrast to the one reached with Greater Manchester, which has been granted devolution of power over numerous areas including health budgets.

Mr Osborne also pledged to give ‘more power’ to Wales, with work underway on a City Deal for Cardiff.

And he said efforts would continue on the ‘historic’ devolution deal for Scotland, with negotiations on City Deals for Aberdeen and Inverness expected.

Despite four mentions of the ‘Northern Powerhouse’, with ‘new investments for a truly national recovery’, Mr Osborne promised London would not be forgotten.

He said: ‘London is the global capital of the world and we want it to grow stronger still.

‘We don’t pull the rest of the country up by pulling London down.

‘Instead we will build on London’s success by building the Northern Powerhouse.’

Mr Osborne claimed the North grew faster than the South over the last year and that the Government was closing the gap between the two regions.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Principal Accountant (Housing) - Basildon Borough Council

Essex County Council
Up to £175.0000 per day
Principal Accountant (Housing)Basildon, Essex £134.450 PAYE / £175 Umbrella daily rate Temporary Contact - April 2026 Full-Time, 36.25 hour per week** England, Essex, Basildon
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Educational Psychologist

North East Lincolnshire Council
Soulbury Scale A 4-9, plus up to 3 SPA points.
The North East Lincolnshire Community Educational Psychology Service is deeply committed to making a positive impact North East Lincolnshire
Recuriter: North East Lincolnshire Council

Children's Social Workers - Family Help Service

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
Up to £52,767 per annum (subject to experience) p
Are you a passionate and experienced Social Worker ready to change lives and shape futures? Wandsworth, London
Recuriter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth

Senior Business Support Officer

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
£35,391 – £45,564 per annum
Senior BusinessSupport Officer£35,... Wandsworth, London
Recuriter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth

Project Support Officer

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
£38,976 - £ 52,767
Project Support Officer... Greater London
Recuriter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
Linkedin Banner