This is what Sheffield MPs think South Yorkshire devolution money should be spent on

Mayor Dan Jarvis will soon be able to access £30 million a year devolved from central government as well as other funding streams relating to certain policy areas like transport and active travel.

SCR will be able to use borrowing powers as well like any other local authority council in order to fund projects.

The mayor said the deal will enable the region to accelerate investment in large capital infrastructure projects which will ‘create jobs and support the transition to a more innovative, zero-carbon economy’.

Around £70 million has already been secured for key projects from government and the mayor added SCR will work to explore how they can unlock more locally and nationally.

The combined authority is aiming to work with councils and the private sector to increase the uptake of cycle to work schemes and increase the use of electric vehicles for those who are unable to use active transport.

SCR also said they want to support growing businesses and sectors – such as engineering, manufacturing, healthcare, and digital - to ensure South Yorkshire’s economy is ‘strong and resilient in the long term’.

Sheffield City Region mayor Dan Jarvis, said: “The South Yorkshire devolution deal delivers a much-needed shift of powers and funding from Westminster directly to local leaders, ensuring that more decisions about South Yorkshire are made in South Yorkshire.

“We’ll control £30 million a year to support the economy so we can support jobs and businesses and £35 million a year for adult education, so we can help people to retrain, improve their skills and unlock more opportunities to find work.

“We will have new powers over transport, which will help improve buses, tram and rail services for passengers. Just last week we secured £110 million of new funding to invest in our plans for a stronger, greener, fairer South Yorkshire.

“This comes at a crucial time as we work to kickstart our economic fightback from Covid-19. We must do all we can to support workers, jobs and businesses across South Yorkshire.

“However, our devolution deal is just the start of our journey towards making our economy and society stronger, greener and fairer. If we are to build back better from Covid-19, rather than just returning to a flawed status quo, we need more substantial powers and resources from Westminster.”

Louise Haigh, MP for Sheffield Heeley, said: “In response to the coronavirus pandemic, other countries, such as Germany, Denmark and South Korea have announced ambitious stimulus packages with a focus on green technologies.

“By following a similar approach and investing in green industries, the UK government could create a host of new well-paid jobs while simultaneously combating another great global crisis: climate change.

“It is possible for our region, and country as a whole, to emerge from the pandemic with a fairer, greener economy that supports well-paid jobs. But this will require vision and investment from the government.”

Paul Blomfield, MP for Sheffield Central said: “The funding is welcome, but much less than the £605 million we would have received as a member of the EU, which I’m continuing to push the Government to match.

“We need investment in developing the skills and jobs for the future, as we come out of the coronavirus crisis, which means a strong focus on the green economy. We can build on our existing strengths to play a leading role in the industries working towards the zero-carbon target.”

Sheffield South East MP Clive Betts said improving the transport system across South Yorkshire was ‘absolutely vital’ and noted the recent bus review and expansion to tram-train in places like Beighton in his constituency.

Miriam Cates, MP for Penistone & Stocksbridge, which includes communities in both Sheffield and the Barnsley borough said ‘more collaboration’ between schools, colleges and industries to create training and employment pathways for young people and greater opportunities for adult education and retraining, was key.

“Social mobility should not mean that people feel forced to leave their local area in order to access the training and employment that they need to succeed in life,” she said.

“Opportunities must be open and available to all here in South Yorkshire and the government is investing millions of pounds in further education and training, and I am looking forward to this being matched by the SCR locally.

“It is vital that we attract businesses and investment to create the high skilled, high paid jobs of the future. But we also need to ensure that we have the ability to train people in the skills that they will need for these jobs.

Olivia Blake. MP for Sheffield Hallam, said: “For too long we have known the Sheffield City Region deserves better infrastructure funding, as does the rest of the North.

“We need a just, Green recovery after Covid-19. I welcome the work of Mayor Jarvis and SCR on plans for a green recovery to take us out of this current crisis.”