Council leaders in West Yorkshire have confirmed they are ready to strike a devolution deal with the Government.

The councils will submit a bid for devolved economic powers for the Leeds city region, including new powers to generate income for major infrastructure projects. 

They will also call for more responsibility over transport, housing, skills and business support.

In exchange, the council leaders said they would consider introducing an elected metro-mayor as long as the Government was handing down radical powers to allow local economies to thrive.

Cllr Peter Box, leader of Wakefield MDC, said: ‘We had a constructive meeting with leaders of neighbouring councils and [commercial secretary to the Treasury] Lord [Jim] O'Neill ahead of us submitting to government an ambitious devolution proposal that will mean better infrastructure, jobs and housing.'

The bid includes Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees, Leeds, Wakefield, Craven, Harrogate, Selby and the City of York.