Sheffield Hallam's Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research (CRESR) and the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) co-hosted a panel earlier this week to discuss levelling up in South Yorkshire: Picking up the Levelling up baton: Priorities collaboration and co-design

Press contact: Nicky Swire | nicky.swire@shu.ac.uk

Mayor Oliver Coppard, Dame Julie Kenny DBE, Sheffield Hallam's Director of CRESR Professor Ed Ferrari and Zoe Billingham, Director of IPPR North (via the event Chair), debated key challenges and policy priorities facing the region, including transport, housing, energy, and the economy - and what needs to happen to tackle these significant regional challenges as part of a co-designed strategy.

The event took place four months after the South Yorkshire Economic summit, where the region’s priorities were identified and explored by key regional and national stakeholders, including the architect of the Levelling Up White Paper, Andy Haldane.

Professor Ed Ferrari, Director of CRESR, said: “Our region, like many across the country, faces multiple challenges right now. Supporting those most in need through effective and targeted policy, whilst staying focused on longer term ambitions for South Yorkshire, simply cannot be achieved in isolation. 

“I am really pleased that CRESR was able to facilitate this event, which encouraged a diverse audience of decision-makers from across South Yorkshire who were clearly keen to focus on partnership and outcomes. As the Mayor rightly articulated – we must now work together to build an inclusive regional plan which works for everyone, and stay focused on turning strategy in to actions.”
 
CRESR is part of Sheffield Hallam's Social and Economic Research Institute (SERI), which sponsored the event.