Politicians say Budget shows South Yorkshire has "a central role to play in driving the UK's future growth"
“I was pleased to see a lot in the Budget for South Yorkshire”
Sheffield’s elected representatives have praised the latest Autumn Budget as the Chancellor pledged support for the Doncaster Sheffield Airport project and offered cost of living support.
Chancellor of the Exchequer John Healey took to the despatch box on Wednesday, October 28, to deliver his first Budget.
In it, the Rawmarsh and Conisbrough MP announced a one-off £100 payment to up to 20 million households to help with energy bills, extra funding to devolved powers like South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority and a 3.9 per cent rise to the minimum wage in April 2027.
The moves have been celebrated by local representatives including Sheffield City Council leader Fran Belbin, saying that changes will “provide some financial relief for our residents” while claiming that the recognition of Sheffield steel operations and the Don Valley Corridor manufacturing district will offer “long-term economic growth for our communities”.
“We welcome the Chancellor’s recognition that cities and places like Sheffield have a central role to play in driving the UK’s future growth,” Coun Belbin added.
“We'll work through the detail, but today's focus on devolution, housing, business growth and measures to tackle the cost of living reflects many of our priorities as a city and we stand ready to deliver on these for the benefit of our residents."
However, critics in the Conservative party have suggested that the Budget is “disjointed,” arguing that the Chancellor failed to address major concerns such as defence spending.
Shadow Chancellor Andrew Griffith told BBC Radio 4 that public finances are "not in good shape" when addressing the latest raft of announcements.
The Greens have also said that the Budget is “business-as-usual” and fails to address the nation’s concerns, while Reform UK leader Nigel Farage - who did not attend Parliament on Wednesday - turned to X to say that the Government “haven’t got a clue how to save our economy and they are coming for your money”.
South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard said that the Budget will help the region unlock new opportunities.
“I was pleased to see a lot in today’s Budget for South Yorkshire,” Mr Coppard said.
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“At a time when everyone is still feeling the cost of living, today’s budget offers families here some much-needed breathing space, with help on energy costs, wages and some of the everyday pressures we’re all facing.
“But John and this government have also backed our ambitions for the future. We heard support for Doncaster Sheffield Airport and the Don Valley Corridor, for growing our economy and businesses, developing our work on AI and tech across South Yorkshire, and for exploring the potential of a Northern Olympic and Paralympic Games, to unlock investment in transport, connectivity and communities across our region.
“And perhaps most importantly, the biggest wave of devolution in a generation gives us more of the tools we need to make our ambitions a reality. It means more power and more freedom to invest in the things we know South Yorkshire needs, rather than constantly having to go to London for permission.
“It gives us greater confidence to take big decisions, to bring our airport back to life, improve our transport network and back the businesses creating the good jobs of the future.
“I’ve always said I want us to build a bigger, better economy where everyone has a stake in our success. When we create new jobs, attract investment and grow our economy in the way I know we can, we’ll now see more of the benefits staying here, in South Yorkshire, so we can invest them back into our places and our people.
“There will always be places where we want Government to go further, and I’ll always make the case for South Yorkshire. But today we’ve been recognised as a place worth backing; a place with huge potential and huge ambition. Now it’s our job to turn that backing into better jobs, stronger businesses, better transport and more opportunities for people right across South Yorkshire.”