On Thursday, several papers, including the Dewsbury Reporter, covered the news that Chancellor Rishi Sunak MP has signed a devolution document alongside the leaders of Leeds, Bradford, Kirklees, Wakefield and Calderdale councils

This marked the agreement between the Government and West Yorkshire leaders announced in the Budget on Wednesday.

The deal will see further powers transferred from Whitehall to the region. As part of the agreement, central Government will work with West Yorkshire leaders to develop a mass transit system and transfer limited powers over transport, housing and adult education.

An extensive tram network is one idea under consideration.

The metro mayor elected in 2021 will have control of a £63 million annual adult education budget, a host of new decision-making powers and a guaranteed £1.1 billion worth of funding over the next 30 years thanks to a new West Yorkshire Investment Fund.

It removes a long-standing stumbling block in the building of the Northern Powerhouse - a key ambition of the Chancellor's predecessor, George Osborne.

Full articles:

Dewsbury Reporter - West Yorkshire devolution deal 'is an example for the country', says Rishi Sunak

inews - Budget 2020: Leeds and West Yorkshire finally win £1.8bn devolution deal as Rishi Sunak promise to 'level up' the UK

Financial Times - £38m a year for a greater West Yorkshire

BBC - West Yorkshire £1.8bn devolution deal agreed