Mayor back to business as York and North Yorkshire economy takes priority post-election

The Mayor of York and North Yorkshire put the region’s economy at the forefront of engagements this week as he met the Prime Minster, Chancellor and fellow elected mayors for talks.

In his first full week since the general election, David Skaith and other mayors met Sir Keir Starmer at 10 Downing Street for a roundtable on local and national government collaboration and unlocking regional economic growth.

He also joined mayors from West Yorkshire and South Yorkshire for discussion with new Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves.

The mayor said: “It was a privilege to be invited to number 10 by Sir Keir, so soon after the election. It provided me and my fellow elected mayors with a valuable opportunity to discuss national government collaboration, and how to harness each region’s unique strengths to drive economic growth.

“Myself and fellow Yorkshire Mayors also met the Chancellor this week in Leeds, where I emphasised York and North Yorkshire’s unique potential to establish itself as a rural powerhouse.”

The Mayor was in Harrogate to attend the Great Yorkshire Show, where he met rural organisations and businesses, telling them it was essential they had a voice in shaping the region’s economic growth.

This coincided with the launch of a recruitment campaign for ‘innovate and passionate’ business people to join the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority (YNYCA) Business Board.

The board will advise the mayor on strategies for growth as well as helping to attract investment and boost the region’s growth across rural, coastal and urban areas.

Mr Skaith said: “If you’re passionate about business and passionate about the future for York and North Yorkshire, your voice is important, and I want to hear from you.

“The Business Board will enable me to understand and take action to best support businesses and create opportunity for all, across York and North Yorkshire.”

If you are interested in applying to join the YNYCA Business Board, visit yorknorthyorks-ca.gov.uk