Agenda item

(Lead Member: The Mayor, Director: Alan Reiss)

Resolved: That the latest economic evidence, as well as the policy interventions that had been rolled out thus far be noted.

The Combined Authority received a report from the Economic Analysis Manager to provide an update on the latest economic and business intelligence, and to provide an update to members on the delivery of policies aimed to help businesses and individuals with the crisis in the cost of living and doing business.

The Mayor noted that the people and businesses of West Yorkshire continued to struggle with the impacts of inflation, with increasing energy, rent, and mortgages among the rising costs. The Mayor suggested that there are longer term issues facing the region, and increased devolution powers would help West Yorkshire to support people more effectively.

Officers summarised the report which provided outlines and updates of the programmes undertaken to support people and businesses in West Yorkshire. Analysis has shown that West Yorkshire has a higher proportion of households in significant poverty compared to the national average, with around 1 in 3 in fuel poverty and the rates of food bank usage increasing by roughly 33% between 2021/22 & 2022/23.

Officers noted that two key programmes had provided support to people and businesses. The Mayor’s Cost of Living Emergency Fund provided £3 million of support to the Voluntary, Community, and Social Enterprise sector via the local districts. The interim evaluation was published with the meeting papers, and to date had provided £1 million of support to just under 6,500 households, with further support over the coming year.

The Energy Price Emergency Grant was a £1 million fund for small businesses across all sectors to support energy-saving measures and build resilience against longer-term price rises. Officers noted that as of June 2023, 71 projects had been completed with roughly £250,000 of funding allocated.

The Mayor expressed thanks to leaders and district partners for going above and beyond to support people and businesses impacted by inflation.

Members questioned if there had been any lessons taken from the programmes which would inform the delivery of future projects. Officers responded that it had been highlighted that programmes should not be overly prescriptive about how funding is spent in favour of more meaningful consultation with communities involved, and there were also lessons regarding the information collected about those supported which could feel intrusive. The statistics of larger geographical areas may not show the deprivation faced by some who reside there, and so it is important not to discount any areas which are perceived as more affluent than others. Members noted the statistics regarding fuel poverty and food bank use were concerning, and encouraged districts to work together to provide skills support so households could be empowered to access higher incomes. The Mayor noted the importance of gathering data to inform the Combined Authority to provide more effective support.

The Mayor queried if the allocation for businesses was being widened, officers responded that the scheme was one of the first business-to-consumer schemes which had provided significant lessons for future programmes.

Resolved: That the latest economic evidence, as well as the policy interventions that had been rolled out thus far be noted.