SOUTH YORKSHIRE’S MAYOR RESPONDS TO THE BUDGET

Published 26 November 2025 at 4:30pm

Responding to today’s budget, South Yorkshire’s Mayor, Oliver Coppard, said:

“Today’s Budget brings welcome news for South Yorkshire, for all of us who live and work here.

“I’m pleased to see the two-child cap scrapped. That change will help 38,000 children in South Yorkshire get the support they deserve. I’m also proud that we’ve secured a huge boost for housing; our capital funding is rising from £46 million to £118 million, alongside an extra £700 million for affordable homes. That’s money we’ll use to help more people onto the housing ladder.

“The Chancellor has confirmed rail fares and prescription costs will be frozen, and we’re doing our bit too. From January, we’ll keep tram fares frozen, cut the cost of longer Supertram journeys, and maintain child bus concessionary fares exactly where they are.

“I also welcome new powers to introduce a Visitor Levy. Even a small charge on hotel rooms could raise up to £7 million every year for South Yorkshire, money we can reinvest directly into our local events and services to make our region an even better place to visit.

“And changes to the Mineworker Pension Scheme will mean an average increase of £100 a week for former miners, helping more than 6,000 people across South Yorkshire.

“Not everything in the Budget will please everyone. We didn’t get the detail we need on big rail schemes for the North yet, but I’ll keep pushing for what we need from Northern Powerhouse Rail. And while a tiny number of properties in South Yorkshire worth more than £2m will pay an extra council tax charge, it’ll help to fund cuts to child poverty, so I support that change.

“Overall, today feels like a good day for South Yorkshire. And together in Barnsley, Rotherham, Doncaster and Sheffield we’ll make sure every pound of investment works hard for the people who need it most, as we restore the pride, purpose and prosperity of our region.”