Thousands of people across West Yorkshire could receive £500 to study vocational courses and learn new skills as part of a major new proposal.

Conservative Party candidate for West Yorkshire Mayor, Arnold Craven, wants to give £500 to people to complete courses in subjects including plumbing, carpentry, green skills, welding, management and basic accounting skills.

He says if he is elected on May 2, he will use the Mayor’s adult education budget to introduce the bursary scheme and create opportunities for thousands of people across the region.

“I know how valuable our colleges are in helping people get jobs and develop their careers and to help businesses have the skilled employees they need to thrive in the economy,” he said.

“But I also know for many people here in West Yorkshire, the cost of further education courses can be prohibitive, which is why I want to contribute £500 towards the schemes.

“However, my Mayor’s bursary scheme will use the education budget in a smart way, not by telling people across West Yorkshire what courses they have to do, but giving thousands of people the chance to pursue education in areas they are passionate about.

“I want to make sure people here have the opportunity to learn new skills to not only improve their own lives, but to help our economy to grow and benefit families right across West Yorkshire,” Arnold added.

Under the proposed Mayor’s education bursary scheme, any adult who lives in West Yorkshire would be able to apply to receive a £500 voucher to go towards a course of their choosing at any accredited West Yorkshire Further Education College.

An initial 2,000 bursaries would be funded by the Mayor and Combined Authority in the first year of the scheme, with opportunities for the scheme to grow via both further government funding and private sector support in subsequent years.

Commenting on the bus franchising debate, Conservative Party candidate for West Yorkshire Mayor Arnold Craven said:

“Bus services across West Yorkshire are not good enough. Delays, cancellations and buses just not turning up mean people can’t rely on the bus network to get them to where they need to be.

“Something has to change. But I am very concerned that West Yorkshire is racing towards franchising without properly considering the alternative Enhanced Partnership + (EP+) option.

“Franchising is attractive for a lot of reasons, but even West Yorkshire Combined Authority admits it will cost at least a hundred million pounds of taxpayers’ money, if not much more - and we don’t really know where all that money will come from.

“Under EP+, the bus operators carry the bulk of the cost, so we could enjoy most of the same benefits of franchising without the massive cost to the taxpayer.

“I understand that lots of people are sceptical of the bus companies and whether they will keep their word. That’s why, were I Mayor, I’d offer the bus companies a year to deliver under EP+. And if they didn’t, I would franchise.

“But I wouldn’t rush to spend potentially hundreds of millions of pounds of tax payer money - money that we might end up covering through our council tax bills / precept - without being absolutely sure there wasn’t another option."

Families across West Yorkshire will feel safer at home and in the streets with a new Police and Crime Plan, the Conservative candidate for West Yorkshire Mayor says. 

Arnold Craven has outlined how he wants to help cut red tape and see police officers investigating all serious incidents as part of his plans to tackle crime across the region. 

Overseeing West Yorkshire Police force is part of the powers of the West Yorkshire Mayor and Arnold says he wants to get tough on crime if elected in May. 

He says as a victim of crime last year – when a motorbike was stolen from his property – he was not satisfied with the police response and now wants to ensure officers and given the resources to investigate crimes properly. 

“One of the things I hear most from people across every part of West Yorkshire is concern about crime,” Arnold said. 

“I was the victim of crime last year. I phoned West Yorkshire Police to report it, but within a couple of hours was called back to be told the police didn’t see investigating the burglary as a priority. 

“The police wouldn’t be coming out, and even if I could get CCTV footage from a neighbour, it wouldn’t matter. The case was closed.

“That approach is not good enough, but this failure to investigate serious crimes is something people have raised with me again and again in recent months.

“I know police officers across West Yorkshire work incredibly hard to keep everyone safe, but I don’t believe the current West Yorkshire Mayor’s Police and Crime Plan gives officers the flexibility and freedom they need to focus their efforts on putting a stop to the crimes affecting our communities.

“As Mayor, I will refocus the efforts of West Yorkshire Police towards getting tough on the crimes really impacting families here. 

“On my first day as Mayor I will meet with the Chief Constable and we will set to work on a new Police and Crime Plan - with the sole objective of being tough on crime. 

“No longer will the police be tied up in red tape. 

“We will get back to a police force which investigates serious crimes, when they happen, and provides every part of West Yorkshire with the security and safety we all deserve.”

Since September 2019 the Conservative Government has funded the recruitment of almost 1,000 extra police officers in West Yorkshire.

Following the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Michael Gove's, announcement on Friday 1st March of further devolution to West Yorkshire, Conservative Party Candidate for Mayor of West Yorkshire Arnold Craven commented:

“The announcement today of enhanced devolution to West and South Yorkshire is excellent news. More devolution is something I have long campaigned for, and I am delighted to see Michael Gove, and this Conservative Government, delivering significant new powers to our region.

“Now we need to make sure West Yorkshire Combined Authority uses these new powers to start to address the real issues - like transport, housing, education and crime - that our region faces.”

Arnold Craven has been selected as the Conservative candidate for West Yorkshire Mayoral election in May.  

Arnold, who works in the energy sector on the transition towards low carbon hydrogen, was selected by Conservative Party members from across West Yorkshire.

He says his campaign will focus on improving transport infrastructure, delivering homes for young people and adult education provision.

“As someone who was born, educated and worked in West Yorkshire, I am honoured to be selected as the mayoral candidate,” Arnold said.

“I believe West Yorkshire is already the best place in the world, and my campaign will focus on trying to make it even better.

“Devolution represents an amazing opportunity for everyone in West Yorkshire – including the business community and politicians - to work together and transform our region for the better.

“My campaign will focus on four key areas – areas a mayor can get things done in. I will build a reliable and efficient mass transit system. I will deliver the homes our young people desperately need and I will make sure the adult education budget is being used properly to give people and businesses the skills we need.

“And finally, I will refocus the leadership of West Yorkshire Police towards investigating more crimes when they are reported.”

The Regional Chair of Yorkshire and the Humber Conservatives George Jabbour, who chaired the Mayoral candidate selection meeting, said:

"Following a rigorous and open selection process, the Conservative Party members in West Yorkshire interviewed a number of excellent candidates with a range of diverse and relevant skills and experiences.  I would like to congratulate Arnold Craven on winning the vote to become our West Yorkshire Mayoral candidate.  He will be a brilliant and effective Mayor for all the communities across West Yorkshire."

Born in Leeds, Arnold grew up in Wakefield and Pontefract, before studying at the University of Leeds.

After graduating, he started a career in property and development and worked on key investments across West Yorkshire, including the construction of the Broadway shopping centre in Bradford and the extension of the White Rose shopping centre near Leeds.

He has also worked on plans for a new rail station in Bradford city centre.