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LEP Question Time

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In the lead up to the LEP’s 2019 annual general meeting (AGM), businesses and members of the public were given the opportunity to submit any questions they may have about the LEP and its work. A selection of these questions will be answered in a 30 minute section of the LEP AGM on 6 June. Questions will be chosen to make sure a wide variety of topics are covered.

All questions submitted will receive a direct response and will also be made available on the LEP website.

Although this specific opportunity has now closed, the LEP is always happy to receive questions and feedback about its work and can be contacted:

In the lead up to the LEP’s 2019 annual general meeting (AGM), businesses and members of the public were given the opportunity to submit any questions they may have about the LEP and its work. A selection of these questions will be answered in a 30 minute section of the LEP AGM on 6 June. Questions will be chosen to make sure a wide variety of topics are covered.

All questions submitted will receive a direct response and will also be made available on the LEP website.

Although this specific opportunity has now closed, the LEP is always happy to receive questions and feedback about its work and can be contacted:

The Q&A period is now closed. We aim to respond to all questions by 30 June.

Ask your questions here!

  • Share My location is overlapped by two LEPs but the location I would like to ask a question about is mostly in Leeds City Region. Could the Panel please explain how I would apply for a grant to pay for a feasibility study into reinstating a railway line that would connect two large towns and a city directly into Leeds and create a second strategic passenger route to the north providing West Yorkshire with resilience in an emergency. It will also attract commuting motorists into Leeds and address congestion and platform blocking in the West End bay platforms of Leeds station.. on Facebook Share My location is overlapped by two LEPs but the location I would like to ask a question about is mostly in Leeds City Region. Could the Panel please explain how I would apply for a grant to pay for a feasibility study into reinstating a railway line that would connect two large towns and a city directly into Leeds and create a second strategic passenger route to the north providing West Yorkshire with resilience in an emergency. It will also attract commuting motorists into Leeds and address congestion and platform blocking in the West End bay platforms of Leeds station.. on Twitter Share My location is overlapped by two LEPs but the location I would like to ask a question about is mostly in Leeds City Region. Could the Panel please explain how I would apply for a grant to pay for a feasibility study into reinstating a railway line that would connect two large towns and a city directly into Leeds and create a second strategic passenger route to the north providing West Yorkshire with resilience in an emergency. It will also attract commuting motorists into Leeds and address congestion and platform blocking in the West End bay platforms of Leeds station.. on Linkedin Email My location is overlapped by two LEPs but the location I would like to ask a question about is mostly in Leeds City Region. Could the Panel please explain how I would apply for a grant to pay for a feasibility study into reinstating a railway line that would connect two large towns and a city directly into Leeds and create a second strategic passenger route to the north providing West Yorkshire with resilience in an emergency. It will also attract commuting motorists into Leeds and address congestion and platform blocking in the West End bay platforms of Leeds station.. link

    My location is overlapped by two LEPs but the location I would like to ask a question about is mostly in Leeds City Region. Could the Panel please explain how I would apply for a grant to pay for a feasibility study into reinstating a railway line that would connect two large towns and a city directly into Leeds and create a second strategic passenger route to the north providing West Yorkshire with resilience in an emergency. It will also attract commuting motorists into Leeds and address congestion and platform blocking in the West End bay platforms of Leeds station..

    Deltic08 asked over 5 years ago

    The Combined Authority does not currently run a grant fund for feasibility studies into the reopening of railway lines. The Combined Authority’s resources are currently focused on the development of High Speed 2, Northern Powerhouse Rail and new rail stations at Elland, Leeds Bradford Airport Parkway, White Rose and Thorpe Park. We are also considering our rail strategy and what is needed to help us achieve our rail patronage growth targets. Should opportunity arise where there could be potential for significant central government funding, the Combined Authority will consider whether there is a case for new or reopened railway lines. 

  • Share With China set to build hundreds of airports, over £1 billion to be invested for Manchester's airport, London looking at options for an additional runway and worldwide air capacity increasing dramatically Leeds City Region once again is being left behind with it's short runway low capacity bucket and spade airport. Offering an additional rail halt at a bus stop near to Leeds Bradford airport is the least ambitious we could possibly be. The airport cannot handle Long Haul and operators are reluctant to commit to a short runway airport at the top of a hill with rival airports nearby. Anywhere else in the world ambitions would be much higher - Leeds City Region needs a new better located and better connected runway else risk being left behind the Northwest and other European cities. Vague statements about HS3 connecting to a rival city's airport or offering a bus to a rail halt are not answers. Has the LEP any ambition for or even explored the option of a new runway South or East of Leeds by the Motorways? Could China or Dubai fund a hub for the North of England here? Why are we so unambitious on such an economic driver? Could HS2 connect a new airport to London and solve their capacity issues? on Facebook Share With China set to build hundreds of airports, over £1 billion to be invested for Manchester's airport, London looking at options for an additional runway and worldwide air capacity increasing dramatically Leeds City Region once again is being left behind with it's short runway low capacity bucket and spade airport. Offering an additional rail halt at a bus stop near to Leeds Bradford airport is the least ambitious we could possibly be. The airport cannot handle Long Haul and operators are reluctant to commit to a short runway airport at the top of a hill with rival airports nearby. Anywhere else in the world ambitions would be much higher - Leeds City Region needs a new better located and better connected runway else risk being left behind the Northwest and other European cities. Vague statements about HS3 connecting to a rival city's airport or offering a bus to a rail halt are not answers. Has the LEP any ambition for or even explored the option of a new runway South or East of Leeds by the Motorways? Could China or Dubai fund a hub for the North of England here? Why are we so unambitious on such an economic driver? Could HS2 connect a new airport to London and solve their capacity issues? on Twitter Share With China set to build hundreds of airports, over £1 billion to be invested for Manchester's airport, London looking at options for an additional runway and worldwide air capacity increasing dramatically Leeds City Region once again is being left behind with it's short runway low capacity bucket and spade airport. Offering an additional rail halt at a bus stop near to Leeds Bradford airport is the least ambitious we could possibly be. The airport cannot handle Long Haul and operators are reluctant to commit to a short runway airport at the top of a hill with rival airports nearby. Anywhere else in the world ambitions would be much higher - Leeds City Region needs a new better located and better connected runway else risk being left behind the Northwest and other European cities. Vague statements about HS3 connecting to a rival city's airport or offering a bus to a rail halt are not answers. Has the LEP any ambition for or even explored the option of a new runway South or East of Leeds by the Motorways? Could China or Dubai fund a hub for the North of England here? Why are we so unambitious on such an economic driver? Could HS2 connect a new airport to London and solve their capacity issues? on Linkedin Email With China set to build hundreds of airports, over £1 billion to be invested for Manchester's airport, London looking at options for an additional runway and worldwide air capacity increasing dramatically Leeds City Region once again is being left behind with it's short runway low capacity bucket and spade airport. Offering an additional rail halt at a bus stop near to Leeds Bradford airport is the least ambitious we could possibly be. The airport cannot handle Long Haul and operators are reluctant to commit to a short runway airport at the top of a hill with rival airports nearby. Anywhere else in the world ambitions would be much higher - Leeds City Region needs a new better located and better connected runway else risk being left behind the Northwest and other European cities. Vague statements about HS3 connecting to a rival city's airport or offering a bus to a rail halt are not answers. Has the LEP any ambition for or even explored the option of a new runway South or East of Leeds by the Motorways? Could China or Dubai fund a hub for the North of England here? Why are we so unambitious on such an economic driver? Could HS2 connect a new airport to London and solve their capacity issues? link

    With China set to build hundreds of airports, over £1 billion to be invested for Manchester's airport, London looking at options for an additional runway and worldwide air capacity increasing dramatically Leeds City Region once again is being left behind with it's short runway low capacity bucket and spade airport. Offering an additional rail halt at a bus stop near to Leeds Bradford airport is the least ambitious we could possibly be. The airport cannot handle Long Haul and operators are reluctant to commit to a short runway airport at the top of a hill with rival airports nearby. Anywhere else in the world ambitions would be much higher - Leeds City Region needs a new better located and better connected runway else risk being left behind the Northwest and other European cities. Vague statements about HS3 connecting to a rival city's airport or offering a bus to a rail halt are not answers. Has the LEP any ambition for or even explored the option of a new runway South or East of Leeds by the Motorways? Could China or Dubai fund a hub for the North of England here? Why are we so unambitious on such an economic driver? Could HS2 connect a new airport to London and solve their capacity issues?

    garethleeds asked over 5 years ago

    Leeds Bradford Airport already plays a significant role in our economy. It remains one of the UK’s fastest growing airports contributing £336 million to the local economy and supporting 5,000 jobs with passenger numbers expected to double over the next 30 years. Its importance is recognised as a major factor in the growth of the City Region and improving access to the airport is key to opening up new international connections and supporting tourism and international trade. A new airport parkway station will provide this and is the most deliverable option given the airport’s geographical location. We are therefore not currently looking at whether a new airport should be built in the area.

    Once complete, HS2 will provide direct access from the City Region to Birmingham International in 46 minutes and with Northern Powerhouse Rail (HS3) direct services to Manchester Airport in 30 minutes. Over the next five years £1.5billion is being invested in both airports to improve facilities for passengers and boost the number of long haul routes offered. Doncaster Sheffield Airport, which can cater for long haul operators, has so far been unable to attract any operators in the long haul market with these are competitors. Both Birmingham and Manchester have plenty of spare capacity and could alleviate capacity issues at Heathrow and Gatwick.

    We must also be alive to the impacts on local communities and the environment of air travel. Unmanaged or un-mitigated air travel growth is inconsistent with international and national reduction targets and the climate emergencies declared by local authorities and the Combined Authority. Greater clarity is now needed from Government about how aviation can assist us to reach our net zero carbon targets nationally, and in-turn, regionally. 

  • Share Hi. It's Barney from FSB. My question is - what is the single most important thing that LEP can do to support small businesses? on Facebook Share Hi. It's Barney from FSB. My question is - what is the single most important thing that LEP can do to support small businesses? on Twitter Share Hi. It's Barney from FSB. My question is - what is the single most important thing that LEP can do to support small businesses? on Linkedin Email Hi. It's Barney from FSB. My question is - what is the single most important thing that LEP can do to support small businesses? link

    Hi. It's Barney from FSB. My question is - what is the single most important thing that LEP can do to support small businesses?

    Barney Mynott asked over 5 years ago

    We know that if you are running a small business time is money, and that the business support landscape can be complex and confusing. Many small businesses just do not have the time and knowledge of where and how to look for the support that might be critical to their future success. So the single most important thing the LEP can do for small businesses is to provide a free, impartial single point of contact to help them to navigate their way.

    Our Growth Service offers a comprehensive one stop shop for advice and support to help small businesses to grow and thrive. Our team is skilled and experienced at helping businesses to identify and access the specific support they need from a range of partners across the City Region and beyond. In fact, we have supported more than 10,000 individual businesses since we launched in July 2015, and 86% of businesses we’ve asked would recommend our service.

  • Share How many new jobs, open to applications from the public, and not those transferring from other Channel 4 offices including London, will there be at Channel 4's new Leeds offices? on Facebook Share How many new jobs, open to applications from the public, and not those transferring from other Channel 4 offices including London, will there be at Channel 4's new Leeds offices? on Twitter Share How many new jobs, open to applications from the public, and not those transferring from other Channel 4 offices including London, will there be at Channel 4's new Leeds offices? on Linkedin Email How many new jobs, open to applications from the public, and not those transferring from other Channel 4 offices including London, will there be at Channel 4's new Leeds offices? link

    How many new jobs, open to applications from the public, and not those transferring from other Channel 4 offices including London, will there be at Channel 4's new Leeds offices?

    JS asked over 5 years ago

    We are working with Channel 4 to ensure the new national HQ in our City Region offers maximum benefits for people in our region. Channel 4’s announcement of their new bases in Leeds, Glasgow and Bristol makes clear that their “4 All the UK” strategy is about attracting and developing talent across the whole of the country, and is set to create over 300 jobs in the three regions directly. The breadth of roles set to be based in Leeds demonstrates the scale of Channel 4’s commitment to our region.

    We believe this is a conservative number when the wider impact of the new Channel 4 national HQ is taken into account. Our bid, called “Be the Spark”, focused on the difference Channel 4 could make to the creative industries in our region, and young people who will now have the opportunity to work for a national broadcaster without the financial or other barriers of moving to London.

    Channel 4’s move to the region has already resulted in five companies locating to or expanding their presence in the region, providing further opportunities and jobs for local people.

    Our forecasts suggest Channel 4’s decision could directly contribute to the creation of more than 1,200 jobs and an economic impact of more than £1bn over the next decade across the Leeds City Region although the true impact, taking into account all the added value being home to a major international broadcaster will bring, will be much larger.

  • Share What has the WYCA / LEP ever done for me? on Facebook Share What has the WYCA / LEP ever done for me? on Twitter Share What has the WYCA / LEP ever done for me? on Linkedin Email What has the WYCA / LEP ever done for me? link

    What has the WYCA / LEP ever done for me?

    Karen Robinson asked over 5 years ago

    It depends if you:
    • are one of the employees of the 10,000 companies that we have supported since 2015
    • are employed in one of the 27,500 jobs that our investment has helped create or safeguard in the last four years
    • might be one of the 10,000 people who will work in jobs that will result from our current investment programme, or have opportunities to work for companies like Channel 4
    • are one of the 4,000 apprentices getting a great start to their career through the opportunities we’ve created
    • are a parent to one of the 80,000 we’ve helped inspire through our employability, enterprise and careers campaigns
    • are able to get to work, education or leisure more easily as a result of the 17 major transport improvement projects we’ve delivered so far
    • are enjoying a warmer home and lower energy bills thanks to our Better Homes Yorkshire scheme
    • are a business owner, saving money on your energy bills thanks to our Resource Efficiency Fund
    We’re growing the economy and making lives better for people in all parts of our region. In the past year alone we’ve invested in services and projects worth £319 million to benefit local people and the economy.

    We want to do more to communicate the difference we’re making to individual local communities and which we’ll be doing in the next few months – so stay tuned for more.

Page last updated: 13 May 2021, 04:25 PM