Mayor welcomes Budget’s ‘generational change' for West Midlands

Responding to Chancellor John Healey’s Budget announcement today, Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “For too long, decisions about our future here in the West Midlands have been more than a hundred miles away in Westminster. We've had to go cap in hand for the money and permission to deliver things we know our region needs. 

“I firmly support the Chancellor's commitment to fiscal devolution, giving mayors greater powers and financial freedom to shape the future of our regions. This is a generational change in who holds the purse strings and who benefits from the wealth our region creates.

“It's a really simple idea, but it's huge. When businesses in the West Midlands grow, when we create new jobs and when local people earn more, our region should get a greater share of that success. More of the money generated here will stay here, so we can reinvest it in our communities."

Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands

“With new Good Growth Funds and greater financial freedom, we can get on with delivering our Growth Plan. Building the homes people need, improving transport, bringing life back to our high streets and giving young people the opportunities they deserve. And we can do it without constantly waiting for Whitehall to give us permission.

“But I also know people need help today. Families across our region are feeling the squeeze, so the £100 energy payment for millions of households this winter with action to bring down energy bills and an increase in the minimum wage and pensions will make a real difference right now.

“I'm particularly pleased to see the Chancellor backing our high streets, with greater business rates relief for small businesses. These are the shops, pubs and businesses at the heart of our communities. And they deserve our backing.

“And I welcome the doubling of funding to tackle rough sleeping. Nobody should have to sleep on our streets. This is about giving people the dignity and security of somewhere safe to call home and I'm determined that we play our part here in the West Midlands.

“I'm really ambitious for our region. We have the businesses, the talent and the ideas to lead Britain's next industrial revolution, grow our economy and change lives. What we've needed are the powers and resources to match that ambition.

“This Labour Government is putting its trust in us. We've proven over the last two years what we can achieve in the West Midlands and now it's my job to turn these new powers into even greater results.

“Because ultimately, people won't judge us on how much power we've been given. They'll judge us on what we do with it. And I'm determined that every part of the West Midlands will share in our success.”