More than 150 South Yorkshire business leaders call for urgent resolution over devolution deal

Business leaders from across South Yorkshire have penned an open letter in which they call for their four local authorities to take action over a devolution deal for the region.

The region’s business community has voiced their concerns as to why an agreement has not yet been reached over the devolved powers deal for South Yorkshire.

They fear that job creation and investment will be stifled and the region runs the risk of being overlooked if this is not resolved soon.

A letter has now been signed by more than 150 business leaders in South Yorkshire representing tens of thousands of jobs in the region. They’re calling for urgent action for unity and a clear position from the leaders of Rotherham, Barnsley, Doncaster and Sheffield.

Leaders of businesses and organisations including Liberty Steel and Henry Boot have signed the letter, as well as the Chairman of the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) Sir Nigel Knowles.

They believe that without a devolution deal South Yorkshire’s reputation, both nationally and across the world, will suffer and the region could lose significant funding, investment and skills.

Concerns have also been raised over a proposed wider Yorkshire devolution deal, which is not currently on the table. They think this is stopping some of the region’s politician from joining forces to confirm their support for the previously agreed south Yorkshire deal which will unlock much needed funding for the area.

In the letter, the business leaders write that “we have the possibility to be the paramount region of the country with regard to advanced manufacturing, health provision and research, digital innovation and other sectors.

“We should continue to pursue this actively and thereby significantly enhance the job opportunities and life prospects for our citizens.

“A Yorkshire deal may emerge as a possibility in the years ahead, but surely we will be better placed to be a strong component of that, should it arise, if we push ahead to really strengthen South Yorkshire first.”

They’ve also highlighted the need to settle differences and agree a strategy to find the right mayor for South Yorkshire who can bring the region together.

The letter has been sent to Cllr Chris Read – Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council; Cllr Julie Dore – Sheffield City Council; Ros Jones – Mayor of Doncaster and Cllr Sir Stephen Houghton – Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council.

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