A SENIOR Councillor has said he believes the region’s economy can ‘recover strongly’ following the Covid-19 pandemic.

The comments came during a meeting of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, when members were discussing how to boost the region’s economy post-Covid.

A report, which went before the committee, referenced £1.4bn of funding asks to central government, published in September, which WYCA said would help entrepreneurs and boost digital technology in the region.

Coun Andrew Carter (Con), the leader of the Conservatives group on Leeds City Council spoke positively about economic recovery, he warned the nature of the jobs market may change dramatically in future.

He said: “Given the situation with young people and unemployment, what are we doing to try and alert businesses about available staff? And how are we trying to help young people link into these jobs coming forward?

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“I think the economy will probably recover quite strongly – and with it, more jobs. But the working patterns will be significantly different.

“What are we doing to link these positives with young people trying to get jobs.”

Chair of WYCA Coun Susan Hinchcliffe (Lab) said: “We have all had discussions on what we can do next in our own authorities. WYCA needs to coordinate the business response.

“There is so much demand out there, and making sure government invests enough in the north and keeps up with that demand.”

According to a report by WYCA officers, the organisation asked for £60 million to go towards health innovations, including funding a “globally positioned Act Early institution” on disease prevention.

A total of £159m would go towards helping ensure people have digital skills for the future, while £192m would go towards helping the region to transform to a “net zero carbon economy”.

It also asks for a £340m entrepreneurship fund, to help “unleash an entrepreneurial revolution”.

It is thought the Government will announce whether or not it intends to provide this cash in its spending review on November 25.