EVENT: In conversation with Tracy Brabin MP

On the 6th of May residents of West Yorkshire will vote for the first time for their regional mayor in an election that will have ramifications beyond the region. The newly elected candidate will oversee a devolution deal which will include an annual £38 million budget, new powers over transport, education and housing and regeneration, as well as control of the Adult Education Budget. It’s no surprise the deal is being pitched by government as evidence of further investment in the Northern Powerhouse and its ongoing commitment to levelling up.But at a time when inclusive economic recovery is critical, the first mayor of West Yorkshire will also carve a place on the national political landscape. The tensions between local and central government have become all too clear during the pandemic with mayors gaining increasing attention. An additional mayoralty will influence economic and social policy making beyond the region, as well as shaping the devolution debate and wider constitutional issues for years to come.After a longstanding career in the public eye, Tracy Brabin became the Labour Member of Parliament for Batley and Spen in 2016. Re-elected in 2017 and again in 2019, she is now running for Mayor of West Yorkshire and, if successful, would be the first elected female mayor of a combined authority in England. Ahead of May’s local, mayoral and Scottish Parliament elections we will discuss her vision for the future of the region and how the first mayor for West Yorkshire could catalyse inclusive economic recovery and growth.Key questions include: What challenges and opportunities are likely to arise for West Yorkshire over the next four years and how can they be addressed? How has the coronavirus pandemic changed the role of local and regional leaders in shaping and delivering economic growth? How can mayors influence the levelling up debate and shape the Northern Powerhouse? How can they incentivise investment in their region to solve inequality and drive forward inclusive growth? In which ways might West Yorkshire shape the future of further devolution in England? What does a transition from MP to mayor involve in practice and which role can make the bigger difference?The event was chaired by Zoë Billingham, Head of Policy and Engagement, Centre for Progressive Policy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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We work with local, national and international partners to build a fairer society in which everyone can contribute to and benefit from economic growthAs inequality worsens and the capacity of communities around the world to shake off economic challenges is depleted, the case for switching to a new ‘inclusive growth’ model is intensifying. For the last decade stagnant real wages have squeezed living standards, wealth has become increasingly concentrated and having a job has been no guarantee of stable, secure or sufficient income. The economy is no longer producing the quality of jobs people need to support their families and opportunities vary depending on where people live and what their background is. This needs to change.The Centre for Progressive Policy comes up with new policy ideas to tackle the root causes of inequality, harnessing the best of central and local government to help build a fairer, more productive economy.At the heart of our work is a belief that inclusive growth can allow individuals, families and communities across the UK to contribute and benefit from shared prosperity. For this to happen people need access to good jobs and a supportive social infrastructure, including health, skills training and childcare. Economic policy must reflect this and recognise inclusive growth as a driver of productivity, nationally and locally.CPP empowers local leaders, providing insights and co-designing policy ideas to help them deliver change on the ground. Our Inclusive Growth Network, for example, includes 12 councils across the UK, from Belfast, Cardiff and Glasgow, to Liverpool, Manchester and London, developing and piloting new ideas in their communities­­ to drive forward the inclusive growth agenda in the UK and internationally.We also work with central government to inform and shape policy and debate, and to drive forward strategies for inclusive growth strategy at a national level. As part of our work across the political spectrum and with central government, we are research partner to the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Inclusive Growth. Finally, we engage with international institutions and organisations to advocate for change, exchange ideas and identify best practice.The Centre for Progressive Policy is independent and impartial. We are not aligned with any political party and are a not-for profit organisation. We are funded by Lord David Sainsbury, who also chair’s our advisory panel as part of his work on public policy. The CPP Director and staff retain full control of the scope, content, conclusions and recommendations of CPP's work. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.