I will appoint an Inclusivity Champion to work to ensure that the region’s recovery benefits us all.

The diversity of West Yorkshire’s communities is one of our great strengths, and as Mayor I will work to recognise and celebrate this as well as address inequalities and injustice.

I will appoint an Inclusivity Champion to lead work to ensure that under-represented groups and individuals, including women, Black, Asian and minority ethnic, LGBTQ+ and disabled people, are consulted, heard and included, and that the benefits of West Yorkshire’s recovery are shared by us all.

The champion will support the Mayor’s work, preparing impact assessments on accessibility, inclusivity, diversity and equality in all funding decisions.

With young and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic workers more likely to have lost their jobs during the pandemic, I will bring together community partners and stakeholders in the West Yorkshire Digital Skills Partnership to develop inclusive digital skills programmes to tackle digital exclusion, job creation and careers support.

I will ensure inclusive participation in education and training, and give priority to fair access, as well as providing learner support funding for those with learning difficulties and disabilities.

I will create a partnership with our communities, especially women, young people, and ethnic minorities to ensure that our police better understand and reflect the communities they serve, that complaints of harassment and hate crimes are taken seriously, and that all communities and individuals are treated fairly and with the dignity and respect they deserve.