‘Landmark’ devolution deal agreed for South Yorkshire

Dan Jarvis has claimed that new powers and millions of pounds in new funding are coming to South Yorkshire this summer, as the region’s landmark devolution deal is agreed.

The Mayor of the Sheffield City Region submitted letters of agreement to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, alongside council leaders in Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield. The deal will be approved in Parliament in the coming weeks with a statutory instrument being used to pass this into law. Following this, millions of pounds of funding will come to South Yorkshire.

The announcement marks a significant breakthrough for the region, equipping local leaders with the tools and resources to build back better from the coronavirus pandemic. The devolution deal will bring benefits including control of a new, flexible single pot of funding for economic growth, which incorporates an additional £30 million annual allocation over the next 30 years.

It also secures devolved transport powers and funding; full devolution of the Adult Education Budget of around £35 million a year, for colleges and training providers; increased planning capacity and powers to deliver housing and economic growth; and greater control over how and where funds are directed.

A recent public consultation found that people in South Yorkshire overwhelmingly supported devolution. Almost 90 per cent of respondents said they supported the principle of devolution of further powers from Westminster.

Jarvis said: “This is a landmark moment for our region. We are seeing powers transferred from Westminster – it means more decisions about South Yorkshire will be made in South Yorkshire. The journey to reach this point has been long and difficult. I firmly believe it is worthwhile, as it provides leaders in South Yorkshire the opportunity to transform our region. I am confident we will seize this moment to build back better, creating a stronger, fairer, greener economy and society.

“The Deal comes at a crucial time, as we look to overcome the coronavirus pandemic. I am working alongside the leaders of our local authorities, and in partnership with our businesses, universities, colleges and central government, to secure new investment and put us on the road to a stronger, fairer future for South Yorkshire. Devolution does not stop at city region level. This is the start of our devolution journey, and working together across the wider region is going to be even more important than ever before.

“Collectively, we stand ready to unlock economic renewal for the region, the north and the nation, and devolution of powers from Westminster will help enable us to do this. We have new tools in our hands today. Together, we must put them to good use.”

[Image from Marketing Sheffield. Location here.]