YORKSHIRE DEVOLUTION AND A YORKSHIRE MAYOR

That this House notes figures published by the Local Government Association that radical steps to devolve power to cities and regions could deliver £11 billion in savings for the taxpayer and generate £80 billion in economic growth, 700,000 new jobs and 500,000 new homes; further notes that Yorkshire has an identical population to Scotland at 5.3 million and a comparable economy worth £102 billion, just behind Scotland at £117 billion; further notes that Yorkshire has nothing like the powers devolved to Scotland and has little power to take decisions affecting Yorkshire itself; recognises that people in all parts of Yorkshire identify with the traditional county of Yorkshire and notes the huge strength of the Yorkshire brand nationally and internationally; further notes that the Cities and Local Government Devolution Bill proposes devolution of further powers to city regions if they establish metro mayors; calls on the Government to go further and establish a Mayor of Yorkshire who will champion and harness its huge economic potential; and further calls on the Government to devolve more powers to Yorkshire too as part of this.