WEST Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin has revealed she will not ask residents to pay a “mayoral precept” in the coming year.

The West Yorkshire devolution deal that created the post allows the Mayor to raise a precept - an extra cost added on to Council Tax bills, from every household in the region.

This money can be used to fund activities such as transport schemes.

When the post was first announced by Government, one criticism was that it would likely lead to an extra tax being imposed on residents.

Mayor Brabin, who took up the post in May, has this week ruled out introducing the new charge for 2022-23, the first full financial year she is in the post.

Mayor Brabin said: “Government decisions mean people across West Yorkshire are facing a cost-of-living crisis.

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"Cuts to Universal Credit, wages failing to keep pace with inflation, rocketing energy bills and a National Insurance increase means that now is not the time to be introducing a new Mayoral precept.

“Our region has been hit hard by the pandemic and we need to be focused on securing a just, fair and inclusive economic recovery. West Yorkshire needs investment if we are to achieve our bold ambitions, but government cannot expect regions to pay for their own levelling up.

“Government Ministers simply don’t understand the impact the last 18-months has had on communities like ours. Rather than forcing additional cuts and costs onto the poorest, those who have the broadest shoulders should be carrying the greatest burden.”