West Yorkshire, green economy and post COVID recovery.
Part of my role as a local District Councillor involves working with the Combined Authority and the West Yorkshire Mayor, Tracey Brabin. I do so in my role as a member of the Combined Authority Econmic scrutiny Committee.
Once a year, we are given an opportunity to question the Mayor about West Yorkshire’s economic performance and Mayoral pledges. This year was no exeception, and time allowed for me to ask 2 of 4 prepared questions of 12 raised by the scrutiny committee.
The two questions asked are:
Skills and Economy.
Central to the net zero and levelling up challenges is the development of people’s education and skills (in the government’s 2021 Skills for Jobs white paper) Jobs and skills are two sides of the same coin – you can’t solve one without addressing the other. Yet, the UK has a significant, albeit poorly understood, green skills gap. Sectors of huge importance for the transition to a net-zero economy, such as construction and manufacturing, are struggling with skilled workforce shortages, and there are still gaps in knowledge across the economy.
There is still little and poor integration between skills initiatives and the needs of the green transition. Policy interventions by the UK government, including the Apprenticeship Levy and the Lifetime Skills Guarantee, have been insufficient so far in addressing the general skills deficit, let alone supporting the workforce to adapt to the needs of a low-carbon economy.
Across the UK, the average worker is currently below the skill level needed to access emerging green jobs.
As West Yorkshire’s employment density has been below the national average for several decades, we need to get ahead of the game. Without a bold plan for skills, levelling up and net zero, we will fail to achieve 3 key objectives of the Mayoral plan.
What plans does the Mayor and the Combined Authority have to leverage this skills gap, so that West Yorkshire becomes a centre of excellence for the green economy, before other local authorities and MCA’s do so?
and
Recovery post COVID.
COVID has taken its toll on West Yorkshire economic outlook, despite receiving support from Central Government. Changes in working practice including remote working have severely impacted City Centre economies, and there’s little sign of improvement.
Businesses that traditionally relied on worker footfall are struggling to survive, as is the High Street. Many simply see this as a shift in where money is spent, however, the broader picture affects much more of our district economies, for example:
- Employment activities; tourism & security services N(78-80)
- Administrative and support activities. I(55-56)
- Civil Engineering F(42)
- Office Admin N(82), Other Service Activities S(94-96)
- Arts, entertainment & recreation R(90-93)
To name a few at West Yorkshire level. At district level, there’s are similar issues albeit some are markedly different. Leeds has seen an increase in Financial and insurance activities, although this is at odds with district outlooks.
What plans exist or are being considered to address these issues?
The Mayor, answered both questions, and although the answer to the first question is quite detailed, time did not allow for the in depth reassurance which I was hoping for. Nonetheless, the Mayor provided a very good answer that addressed many of the concerns raised, and has obviously become much more invested and knowledgeable about her role over the past years. Tracey Brabin must be commended for the work which she has undertaken for West Yorkshire.
Live webcast video of March 15th’s meeting.
https://westyorks-ca.public-i.tv/core/portal/webcast_interactive/731877.
Questions to the Mayor.
Whilst the Economy Scrutiny Committee meet at least 4 time annually, and we are presented with an annual opportunity to question the Mayor, the Mayor has invited further questions from the panel. Should you have any questions for the Mayor, I would be pleased to discuss this with the Combined Authority and the Mayor if she’s available to do so. Please send your questions to me at bob.felstead@bradford.gov.uk and I’ll endeavour to get these answered.
