Rachel Reeves' budget is 'good for South Yorkshire' says Mayor Oliver Coppard as red tape for spending slashed

The Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, announced a mass of changes in the budget on Wednesday including investment for transport, namely Sheffield Supertram, hikes in employers national insurance rates and a cut on draught tax, which should save pub-goers a penny on their pints.

South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard spoke to reporters after the budget and declared it was “good for South Yorkshire”.

The budget included a “single pot settlement”, which is hoped will reduced “red tape” on what the mayor can spend government money on - as current funding is allocated in specific pots, with specific purposes, with little wiggle room for regional leaders.

Watch our conversation with Mayor Coppard at the top of this page.

• RELATED: Sheffield view on Budget: Missed opportunity to face up to responsibility
• RELATED: Sheffield reacts to John Healey's Budget as call made for more to be done for youth
• RELATED: What Sheffield Council leader thinks of Mayors plan to buy airport