LEP responds to Budget statement

Reacting to the budget statement in which a second stage devolution deal for Leeds, West Yorkshire and partner authorities was noted, Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (LEP) Chair, Roger Marsh said:

“I welcome this government pledge to a second stage devolution deal for our region as a significant next step in our growth journey. Driving the region’s economy is paramount to all LEP activity and devolving further powers and funding will enable us to achieve our ambition to turn our economy into a net contributor to the public purse.

“What we need to see secured as part of ongoing discussions with government is a deal that would provide powers for our area to raise its own finances. Devolution is not real devolution without fiscal powers and we will continue to call for this as we work up the detail ahead of the Spending Review.”