Yorkshire authority unlocks £5m emergency funding to support pandemic recovery

A Yorkshire organisation has announced that it is unlocking £5m in emergency funding to support the region’s recovery from the pandemic.

The West Yorkshire Combined Authority has reported that it has voted to unlock the emergency funding secured through the West Yorkshire devolution deal.

The funding will be used to respond to the immediate need to support the recovery from the pandemic.

Susan Hinchcliffe, chair of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and leader of Bradford Council, commented: “It’s vital that we do all we can to support our partners and communities across the region as they look to recover from the awful impact of Covid-19.

“The funding we have secured through the West Yorkshire devolution deal gives us the flexibility to invest in and support economic recovery priorities right across West Yorkshire and will make a real difference.

“We’re making the limited resources we have available go as far as possible, but if we’re to properly support people, communities and the economy reach its full potential, we will need much greater levels of investment.

“We have drafted a £1.6bn recovery plan and presented this to the government as an investment proposition.

“We look forward to a time beyond the pandemic when we can deliver it in full.”