FAQs

Our key strengths include: 

• Our diverse population 
• The structure of our economy and broad business base means we have a resilient economy not dominated by a single sector
• Our seven universities attract and retain talent from around the region and around the world
• We are a global leader in healthcare technology with six government health headquarters – over 22% of the UK’s digital health jobs are based in West Yorkshire
• West Yorkshire is the UK’s largest regional finance centre, with international strengths in FinTech including a growing financial cluster of public and private capital

• West Yorkshire’s productivity performance has not improved in recent years and is behind both the UK average and other countries. Improving productivity is the main driver of improving standards of living
• West Yorkshire has fewer highly skilled people and jobs than in other parts of the UK. This is closely associated with underperformance on productivity and innovation
• West Yorkshire’s overall level of employment and employment rate have grown steadily in recent years.  However, groups who are disadvantaged in the labour market, including women, people from ethnic minorities, disabled people and older people are less likely to be in employment than the wider population
• West Yorkshire has a significant number of people who are excluded from the labour market, with disadvantaged groups most at risk. These groups and people in deprived areas are less likely to access skills programmes that can aid their progression
• Healthy life expectancy in West Yorkshire is below the national average for both males and females

The purpose of the West Yorkshire Economic Strategy is to set out how we will deliver the missions of the West Yorkshire Plan, providing clarity across the region on our shared purpose with our partners. The Economic Strategy will set out our priorities for a prosperous West Yorkshire, an inclusive economy with well paid jobs, and will help us design and deliver programmes that support our residents and businesses.

This engagement aims to inform people including those that live, work and visit West Yorkshire about the Economic Strategy, and to gain feedback to inform development of the Strategy.

Alternative formats of the engagement materials are available upon request, and a phone number is available for support to take part. You can also ask questions using the Questions tool

The public engagement will be open for responses from [date] to [date].  After the engagement has closed, the responses received will be analysed and used to shape a draft document.  

Progress of the Economic Strategy will be demonstrated by improvements in:

• Productivity levels
• The number of jobs paying the living wage
• Living standards
• Child poverty
• Skill levels, number of people starting apprenticeships, and people gaining employability skills
• The employment rate and percentage of employees in quality work
• The employment rate gap for disadvantaged groups
• Growth is key sectors