'We still want to push for a Yorkshire-wide deal,' says Doncaster mayor after South Yorkshire devolution deadlock is broken

The comments come after the deadlock over South Yorkshire devolution was finally broken yesterday after two years of delay.

Sheffield City Region mayor Dan Jarvis could soon start to see the benefits of £900 million of devolved money over 30 years and extra powers over public transport, adult skills budget and strategic planning.

The region will now be given infrastructure cash from the government, where previously the combined authority has had to bid for it.

The original agreement in South Yorkshire was signed in 2015 but Doncaster and Barnsley opted to pursue a Yorkshire-wide deal which hadn’t been legislated in parliament.

The Yorkshire-wide deal has the backing of 19 of 21 councils in the region.

Ministers said no other arrangement could be implemented before all parties signed up the SCR deal.

Both Doncaster and Barnsley held community referendums to gage support for a Yorkshire deal. Turnout was less than 25 per cent but the people voted overwhelmingly backing a Yorkshire deal.

Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones said: " "Pursuing a Yorkshire wide deal is still very much our intention. However we welcome the agreement from the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government to work with us to progress our ambition for a Yorkshire wide devolution deal, whilst still allowing the South Yorkshire devolution deal to progress, unlocking significant opportunities and investment for Doncaster and South Yorkshire. I look forward to further discussions and scoping out the next steps.”