Joined up thinking

SEVERAL years hence, they will hopefully be seen as marking the start of Yorkshire's economic recovery. The success of two of this region's bids for local enterprise partnership (LEP) status is a vital step on the long road back to prosperity. Despite the size of the national debt and the scale of cuts, investment remains not just desirable, but necessary.

If the partnerships are to be successful they must help to stimulate the economy and imitate the more successful functions of regional development agencies, which the coalition unwisely decided to abolish. Yorkshire suffered immensely during the recession, with tens of thousands of jobs cut at the nationalised banks and major construction projects put on hold, so LEPs must help to generate a private sector-led recovery as the size of the state is slimmed.

Councils and business leaders have not always worked well together in the past but an acceptance of the straitened times in which we live should prompt them to abandon factional interests for the public good.

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The densely populated Leeds city region, where it is understood 11 councils will be able to go ahead with an LEP, could benefit hugely. The outcome of a bid by councils in and around Sheffield remains uncertain, however, and the Government should not take too long to decide. South Yorkshire has suffered from under investment for too long and, whether its application is successful or not, it needs clarity in order to plan for the future.

After the sombre warnings from Vince Cable, the Business Secretary, that many of the LEP bids were not good enough, the success of two from this region will raise hopes of a long-term economic recovery. It will also demonstrate to business leaders and city fathers that standing united, rather than divided, makes Yorkshire greater and stronger.