Bradford needs 'bold and transformative investment'

For over a decade, local authorities across the UK have grappled with the consequences of relentless Government cuts, and few areas have felt this burden as acutely as Bradford.

In the next couple of weeks, or maybe even days, the Provisional Local Government Finance Settlement for 2025-26 will be published telling us how much funding Bradford Council will be getting for the next year.

The Labour Government has announced a nationwide £600 million increase to the Social Care Grant and a new £250 million Children’s Social Care Grant, as well as a vital increase in spending power of around 3.2 per cent for Bradford Council.

Imran Hussain MP (Image: Other)

That’s a big step forward since the Conservative austerity measures inflicted on us by the last Government have disproportionately harmed cities like ours, stripping vital services to the bone and stalling progress for a generation.

With a new Labour Government in power, there is now a historic opportunity to rectify this injustice and set Bradford on a path to renewal, resilience, and growth.

Bradford, like many northern cities, has been decimated by cuts to local authority funding.

Research consistently shows that deprived areas have faced far deeper reductions in funding compared to wealthier parts of the country.

Disgracefully, councils serving communities with the highest needs have borne the brunt of austerity, forced to make impossible choices between essential services.

In Bradford, this has meant devastating cuts to frontline services including libraries, leisure facilities, adult social care, public transport networks, community and voluntary sectors have been hit hard, and community activities have struggled to stay afloat. The city, which should be celebrated for its diversity, heritage, and potential, has instead been left to navigate growing challenges with fewer resources.

The new Labour Government must take these disparities into account when deciding funding settlements for local authorities.

A one-size-fits-all approach to funding will not suffice. Cities like Bradford, which have endured the harshest austerity, require targeted investment to repair the damage of the past decade.

This isn’t just a moral imperative—it’s also a pragmatic one. Bradford is a vibrant, youthful, and dynamic city with the potential to drive economic growth and innovation for the entire region. Proper investment in Bradford is an investment in the future of the UK.

Bradford deserves more than a return to the status quo—it needs bold and transformative investment. From green energy to transport connectivity, the government must prioritise initiatives that reflect Bradford’s unique strengths and aspirations.

Green energy, for example, is key as the UK strives toward net zero, and Bradford should be at the forefront of renewable energy innovation, creating green jobs and fostering sustainable development.

The Bradford hydrogen production facility, set to be one of the largest in the country; and the recent £20 million government investment into low-carbon heat networks is just the beginning and must be the blueprint going forward.

The HyBradford facility at the Birkshall gas storage site on Bowling Back Lane (Image: HyBradford)

Bradford’s designation as the UK City of Culture for 2025 highlights the rich history and creative potential of the city, and funding should support not just one-off events but long-term cultural and economic regeneration.

With the right education and skills harnessed by one of the youngest populations in the UK, Bradford residents will be well prepared for the jobs of the future. The Government can also ensure that Bradford benefits from new investment in national infrastructure projects. I’ve long campaigned for a train station with reliable and affordable links to the rest of the North to promote economic growth.

St George's Hall in Bradford was packed for the Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture launch (Image: Telegraph & Argus)

While addressing immediate funding disparities is crucial, we must also reform the way Local Government funding is allocated to prevent future injustice. This means developing a system that is fair, transparent, and responsive to need—not one that penalises areas with higher deprivation.

Moreover, local authorities must be empowered to take greater control of their economic futures. Devolution should be a cornerstone of Labour’s vision, allowing West Yorkshire and cities like Bradford to lead the way in addressing local challenges and opportunities. 

Bradford has endured a decade of neglect and disproportionate harm under Conservative-led austerity.

It is time for a new approach—one that recognises the city’s potential and provides the investment it needs to thrive. With the right policies, the Government can ensure that Bradford and places like it are never left behind again.

For Bradford, and for the nation as a whole, the stakes are too high to accept anything less.