Yorkshire’s three Metro Mayors have signed the White Rose Agreement, a new partnership to strengthen economic growth, transport infrastructure, investment, and regional public safety. West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin, South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard, and York and North Yorkshire Mayor David Skaith formalised the agreement at Selby Abbey, which sits at the border of their three combined authority areas.

The Mayors will collaborate on investment plans, create jobs, and position Yorkshire as a leader in the green industrial sector to drive local economic growth. They also plan to promote the region as a business and tourism hub, seeking to attract international investment and major cultural and sporting events.

Transport is a key focus, and the agreement reinforces their push for Northern Powerhouse Rail, upgrades to the East Coast Mainline, and increased capacity at Leeds, Sheffield, and York stations. They will also work to improve bus services across the region, aiming to better connect towns and cities.

Public safety is another shared priority, with the Mayors planning to coordinate efforts on tackling organised crime, cross-border offences, and violence prevention, particularly in their roles as Police and Crime Commissioners.

The agreement follows the May 2024 mayoral elections, with the three leaders now representing a combined population of 4.5 million. Council leaders from their respective combined authorities have backed the initiative, which they say will harness the power of devolution to deliver tangible benefits.

As part of the agreement, Lord David Blunkett is leading a review of Yorkshire’s transport connectivity, with findings set to be submitted to the government. The Mayors emphasised that by working together, they can take greater control of the region’s future and unlock opportunities for long-term growth.

Northern Trains is encouraging local businesses to lease vacant commercial spaces at railway stations across its network.

29 units are available through the train operator’s property partner, Lambert Smith Hampton. These include retail space at Knaresborough Station and the Station House at Hebden Bridge in West Yorkshire, open for complete redevelopment into a leisure venue, licensed restaurant, office, or retail space.

Northern Trains’ head of property, Robert Ellams, highlighted the potential benefits for businesses, citing high footfall, strong transport links, and the heritage value of many station buildings.

The UK government has stopped accepting new applications for the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI), citing full budget allocation for the year. The scheme, part of the Environmental Land Management (ELM) programme, pays farmers for nature-friendly practices such as maintaining hedgerows and reducing pesticide use.

Defra stated that 50,000 farm businesses—covering over half of England’s farmland—are now enrolled in environmental land management schemes, which have a £5 billion budget over two years. However, the suspension of new applications has drawn strong criticism from farming groups.

The National Farmers’ Union (NFU) called the move a “shattering blow,” warning that farmers left out of the scheme may have to abandon environmental efforts to stay financially viable. The Country Land and Business Association (CLA) described the decision as harmful to both farming and nature. The Nature Friendly Farming Network (NFFN) raised concerns that delays in the next SFI rollout, expected in spring 2026, could leave many farmers without support for 18 months.

Political figures, including Alistair Carmichael, chair of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee, criticised the abrupt decision, warning it could further destabilise the sector. The government has defended its funding approach, stating that more farmers are now receiving payments than ever before.