More work required to win fair deal for region

Work is not actually under way on the any of the major transport schemes announced over the past 12 months, with southern-based MPs continuing to put pressure on the Government to drop its high-speed rail plan.

Changes to funding for rural areas and to the way councils have to pay for the concessionary bus fares scheme are now under review, just as local politicians have long called for, but the outcomes remain unclear.

The supermarket ombudsman will be warmly welcomed by farmers once it is established, but Labour peers are warning the new watchdog could ultimately be “toothless” if its power to demand fines are handed out is not beefed up before the Bill becomes law.

Concerns abound about the speed at which Regional Growth Fund cash is being distributed, while previous rounds have seen Yorkshire out-performed by both the North West and the North East.

And it remains to be seen how successful the new Enterprise Zones and City Deals really are at reviving growth outside London.

Nonetheless, local figures are confident the devolution packages, at least, will be genuine game-changers in the areas affected.

James Newman, chairman of the Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), said: “The deal will allow the LEP to drive forward real economic growth and create jobs for the Sheffield City Region.”