Question

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what progress he has made on implementing local growth deals.

Local Enterprise Partnerships have made good progress in implementing their Growth Deals, supported by Government.

The Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership has a large portfolio of projects ready to start in 2015.

Government has allocated £627million to the Leeds City Region Growth Deal, this will leverage £640m of other funding. Over the lifetime of the Deal the Local Enterprise Partnership estimates that up to 10,000 jobs could be created and 2,000 new homes built.

Government has also agreed longer term funding for the West Yorkshire plus Transport Fund. This could deliver 30 transport schemes worth over £1billion.

The Chancellor announced the Devolution Deal with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority in last week’s Budget. This will give West Yorkshire new powers over skills, business support and transport.