Title

ECONOMIC GROWTH

Leeds city region to go it alone

Council leaders in West Yorkshire have confirmed they are ready to strike a devolution deal with the Government.

Council leaders in West Yorkshire have confirmed they are ready to strike a devolution deal with the Government.

The councils will submit a bid for devolved economic powers for the Leeds city region, including new powers to generate income for major infrastructure projects. 

They will also call for more responsibility over transport, housing, skills and business support.

In exchange, the council leaders said they would consider introducing an elected metro-mayor as long as the Government was handing down radical powers to allow local economies to thrive.

Cllr Peter Box, leader of Wakefield MDC, said: ‘We had a constructive meeting with leaders of neighbouring councils and [commercial secretary to the Treasury] Lord [Jim] O'Neill ahead of us submitting to government an ambitious devolution proposal that will mean better infrastructure, jobs and housing.'

The bid includes Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees, Leeds, Wakefield, Craven, Harrogate, Selby and the City of York.

 

ECONOMIC GROWTH

The art of the deal

By Cllr Stephen Alambritis | 12 February 2026

Stephen Alambritis says local authorities need to think commercially to thrive – and he explains what one London council’s £186m deal proves.

ECONOMIC GROWTH

Minister: Devolution failing to capture public imagination

By Neil Merrick | 10 February 2026

Devolution is failing to capture the public’s imagination because councils and central government are not flagging up the benefits to residents, communities ...

ECONOMIC GROWTH

The Top 10 councils powering ahead on productivity

By Ann McGauran | 05 February 2026

Local government’s leadership may be dealing with a maelstrom of challenges, but the councils whose productivity performance has earned them a place in the I...

ECONOMIC GROWTH

Lessons in tourism levies

By Martin Ford | 05 February 2026

Powers to implement visitor levies will soon be available in all corners of the country. Martin Ford looks at the story so far and what England can learn fro...

Popular articles by Laura Sharman