Budget 2015: Wake-up call on West Midlands super council

Reacting to George Osborne's budget and news of a deal with Greater Manchester on a 'northern powerhouse', Black Country bosses say they have been left in no doubt that there must be an elected mayor for the West Midlands.

The budget also revealed further extensions to the east and west of Birmingham New Street will be delivered over the next few years. And government will consider proposals when they have been developed further on extending the Midland Metro.

The Black Country, Birmingham, Coventry and Solihull have already teamed up to created the West Midlands Combined Authority - which some critics still want to see called Greater Birmingham.

Past president of the Black Country Chamber of Commerce Mike Dell said the message from the budget was: "Have an elected mayor or you don't get anything."

Jonathan Astley, director of Wolverhampton-based architects and town planners Tweedale, said the Chancellor had given a nudge to the West Midlands to get its act together.

"A lot is being done in the background by the West Midlands authorities, but they have to act sooner rather than later.

Ben Hale, international trade adviser for UK Trade & Investment, based in Wolverhampton, expressed worries that the Midlands Engine - the name given the area by the Chancellor - might not go ahead.

He asked: "Are we just messing around. Is this the West Midlands fault?"

Kevin Rogers, chief executive of Wolverhampton-based Paycare, said: "We have to make it happen. We can't wait for other people to direct us to make it happen.

"We have been given a clear direction by the politicians. As a group of people in the West Midlands we have to make it happen."

"There are significant opportunities for everyone within the West Midlands engine. The chamber has to help drive this initiative," he added.

Meanwhile the Leader of Staffordshire County Council welcomed measures designed to help businesses, children looking for adoption and people looking to secure better paid jobs.

Conservative Philip Atkins also welcomed the announcement of car tax money being diverted to a new Roads Fund, an extra £8bn for the NHS and more support for businesses taking on apprentices.

Councillor Atkins said: "As a county council, we are committed to creating the right conditions to help businesses flourish, attract investment and give more people the skills and the opportunities to get better paid jobs."

But Labour MP for Wolverhampton South East, Pat McFadden, said: "The central claim in the Budget was that Britain needed a pay rise, but for low income families in and public sector workers, they won't get one.

"Households will lose a lot more in tax credit cuts than they gain in the minimum wage rise. I welcome the Chancellor's conversion to Labour policies like boosting the minimum wage and dealing with non dom tax status, but the overall effect of the Budget will be a steep cut in income for many families in my constituency."