Leaders across South Yorkshire have called on the Government to back a £1.7 billion COVID plans to help the region’s economy bounce back from the pandemic.
The Sheffield City Region Mayoral Combined Authority (MCA) formally approved the Renewal Action Plan at their meeting this week.
The aim of the plan is to support people, businesses and places across South Yorkshire, with the interventions designed to make the region’s economy stronger, greener and fairer.
The plan has been developed by Mayor Dan Jarvis, the leaders of Barnsley, Doncaster, Sheffield and Rotherham councils and the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), working in partnership with the business community, trade unions, universities and voluntary sector.
Now, the Mayor and the leaders of the councils have jointly called for the Government to back the proposals in the Comprehensive Spending Review in the autumn.
The proposals will support over 55,000 training and job opportunities, back 25,000 businesses, create 3,000 apprenticeships, and revitalise South Yorkshire’s towns centres.
“I’m pleased that leaders have formally approved our Renewal Action Plan. We have worked closely together to develop the proposals, which will support workers, businesses and places right across our region,” said Mayor Jarvis.
“We send a clear message to Government that South Yorkshire stands ready to deliver not just recovery, but renewal in our economy and society. Backing the plan will benefit our region, the north and the whole the country.
“Now the government must devolve the powers and invest the resources South Yorkshire needs – giving us the tools and resources to get on with the job and build back better.”