Mayoral Council

Yesterday, I attended Mayoral Council to raise issues that matter to people across Hull and East Yorkshire.

It was an opportunity to speak with the Prime Minister about the importance of community centres. These are trusted local places where people already go for support, advice and connection. With the right backing, these centres can do even more – they can help people build confidence, find support when they need it, and gain new skills to get into work.

I also raised with the Chancellor how important it is for mayors to have a say over business rates. Our town and city centres need practical support, but mayors have no say at a local level. If we had more control over these rates, I’d make changes to encourage businesses back into our high streets and help bring empty spaces back into use.

During the meeting, the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions said government needed to have more conversations about how to get young people into work. In my opinion, those conversations need to turn into action. I’ll be following up to make the case for employment funding to be shaped locally. Mayors should be able to work directly with local employers on schemes that help young people into jobs, apprenticeships and training.

The meeting was useful in parts, but I was really disappointed that what should have been a private working discussion turned into a political argument. Mayoral Council should be a serious forum where we can focus on delivery for the people and places we represent, not a place for political point scoring.

I’ll always attend meetings where I believe Hull and East Yorkshire can make progress, secure investment and influence decisions. But my priority is getting on with the job here. I won’t waste time on meetings that become photo opportunities or political theatre when there’s serious work to do.

My focus remains on good jobs, better connections, stronger communities and giving young people a real stake in the future of Hull and East Yorkshire. That’s what I was elected to do, and that is where my focus is.