WYCA secures £2bn for transport, skills, and housing
Confirmed as part of the Autumn Budget, the funds will be paid in four settlements until 2030 with the first installment coming in April 2026.
West Yorkshire Combined Authority Mayor Tracy Brabin will meet with the leaders of Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees, Leeds, and Wakefield later today to discuss the next steps ahead of funds being released.
Under the Integrated Settlement, West Yorkshire is set to receive:
- £397.8m in 2026/27
- £473.9m in 2027/28
- £559.8m in 2028/29
- £530.9m in 2029/30
Ahead of the funds being received, PwC has been working with the combined authority on a ‘readiness check’, to ensure it is managed properly.
A paper will be presented to the combined authority in the new year, detailing specific proposals for how the money should be spend to maximum effect.
For now, the loose idea is that the settlement will bring together funding streams across transport, skills, and housing in line with Local Growth Plan, with the aim of raising living standards.
This includes major allocations for:
- Around £190m over the four year-period to build new housing and deliver major regeneration schemes across the region’s towns and cities, with a focus on affordable housing.
- More than £200m each year to deliver major transport infrastructure schemes, including rail station improvements and bus and active travel links.
- More than £85m per year to fund initiatives like skills bootcamps to help people into employment and boost local businesses.
Following discussion at the 4 December meeting, the Combined Authority will finalise its outcomes framework and delivery plans ahead of funds being released in April 2026.
Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said: “Our Integrated Settlement gives us the flexibility and certainty we need to invest in the things that really matter to local people – better transport, more affordable homes, skills for life and work, and support for businesses to grow and thrive.
“It’s the culmination of years of hard work and partnership, and shows the government’s confidence in our ability to deliver for our region and the growth mission.
“This will enable us to take bold, long-term decisions that will transform our economy, create good jobs, and make West Yorkshire an even better place to live and work.”
