The West Yorkshire Combined Authority looks set to strike a ‘northern powerhouse' growth deal without bowing to pressure from the Treasury to accept an elected mayor, it has emerged.
The news comes ahead of Wednesday's Budget, which is likely to include a raft of transport and infrastructure measures, including an Oyster-style travel card as part of chancellor George Osborne's plans to promote economic growth in the North of England.
Sources close to the talks suggest the deal to be brokered by the West Yorkshire authorities - which include Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees, Leeds and Wakefield and York – will be similar to that made by Sheffield last year.
