AN order bringing West Yorkshire devolution into law, and with it a £1 billion budget, has been signed by the Government.

The order is a significant moment for the county, paving the way for the new mayorship and Mayoral Combined Authority ahead of the elections due to take place in May.

The Mayor will oversee an annual budget of £38 million and have powers over transport, policing and crime, education and housing and regeneration, and control over the Adult Education Budget.

In total, the Mayoral Combined Authority will have access to more than £1.1 billion to invest in West Yorkshire.

Luke Hall, minister for regional growth and local government, signed the historic order.

He said: “Today represents a historic moment for West Yorkshire as we deliver a deal giving significant new powers and over a billion pounds of new funding to the region. 

“It will deliver real benefits to Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees, Leeds and Wakefield, putting decision-making in the hands of these communities, driving the regional economy and creating new jobs for local people.

“Getting this deal over the line is an important milestone in our ambitious levelling up agenda, moving power away from Whitehall empowering our regions to build back better.”

Transport Secretary and Northern Powerhouse chief Grant Shapps added: “We are investing billions to level up the North and build a strong and dynamic Northern Powerhouse.

"That must be backed by providing local leaders with the powers and means to make decisions.

“I look forward to working with the first Mayor of West Yorkshire, both directly and through the Northern Transport Acceleration Council, to deliver the infrastructure upgrades communities want and deserve as quickly as possible.”

The West Yorkshire Mayor election is due to take place at the same time as local elections on May 6, after they were postponed last year.

Currently on the ballot are Labour's Tracy Brabin, the Liberal Democrats' Stewart Golton, Andrew Cooper of the Green Party, and the Yorkshire Party leader Bob Buxton.

The Telegraph & Argus asked the Conservatives if they have decided on a candidate, or when one will be announced, earlier this month, but received no response.