According to the Office for National Statistics, as of 2017 the city region ranked 2nd behind Greater London for both population and GVA in the United Kingdom.

[1] A multi-area agreement was established in 2008 and since 2011 economic development has been supported by the Leeds City Region LEP, which forms a business-led local enterprise partnership.

[4] As part of a 2012 'city deal' the Combined Authority was established in order receive devolved powers for transport, economic development and regeneration.

The primary link to London is the East Coast Main Line, which principally serves Leeds, Wakefield Westgate and York.

There are regional semi-fast services on the Trans-Pennine line that serve Huddersfield, Dewsbury, Leeds, Garforth, York and Northallerton.

Plans are in place to improve public transport in Leeds, making it a car free city with upgrades to railway, bus services, and cycle lanes.

[13][14] Rural areas have diversified with a mixed economy combining a range of employment opportunities alongside agriculture and a strong tourism base.

In 2007 the visitor economy contributed £6.3 billion or 8.5% of the Yorkshire and the Humber region's total output – a high proportion compared to the national average.

Natural landmarks include such diverse sites as the gritstone outcrop of Otley Chevin and the Fairburn Ings RSPB reserve.

There is a large and diverse workforce of around 1.4 million and a younger than average profile in some parts of the city region, for example Bradford.

The universities of Leeds and York, along with Sheffield, form the White Rose Consortium, which accounts for 86% of research spend in the region.

Many towns and villages are characterised by distinctive buildings based on an extensive Victorian legacy near to thriving job markets and commercial centres.

Current patterns of demand at the upper end of the market are likely to continue, increasing problems of division of social groups and affordability.

The government has identified Leeds City Region to host a number of new eco-towns to meet housing demand.

city regions are increasingly being recognised as powerful drivers for economic growth and between them the city regions of Leeds, Sheffield, Hull and the Humber Ports, Liverpool, Manchester, Central Lancashire, Tees Valley and Tyne and Wear have 90% of the North's population and over 90% of its economic activity.

Political leaders from Leeds, Barnsley, Bradford, Calderdale, Craven, Harrogate, Kirklees, Selby, Wakefield and York along with North Yorkshire, as well as representatives from other regional organisations took part.

Delegates to the conference concluded that greater collaborative working would be beneficial in the areas of transportation, innovation and science, skills and labour supply, business infrastructure and housing, quality of life, culture, marketing and image.

Within the context of wider submissions to the Comprehensive Spending Review 2007 made by the Northern Way Steering Group and Yorkshire Forward, the plan identified what the Leeds City Region is asking from government.

The stated aim of the policies being to create economically strong cities and regions which drive forward national prosperity and provide opportunity and social justice for all.

[31] The partnership deals with issues that are important for the whole city region, yet which cannot be fully covered by one local government area alone, for example transport infrastructure and marketing the north of England to the world.

It brings together the elected leaders of the eleven partner authorities to take strategic decisions on behalf of the city region.

[32] The partnership has four panels which are involved in helping to develop strategies to improve:- Areas of work not specifically allocated to a single panel are:- In October 2007 the Leeds City Region Leaders Board decided to seek to develop a Multi Area Agreement which is a voluntary agreement between groups of local authorities and government which focuses on cross boundary working and devolution as a means of promoting an increase in local economic prosperity.

[33][34] In March 2009 Leeds City Region Partnership submitted a formal bid for more powers and funding from Government through a pilot programme on offer.

The Partnership put forward a "Forerunner Plan" with proposals for greater responsibilities in housing and regeneration, higher level skills and innovation.

These arrangements will see the Government and its agencies delegating greater control over funding and delivery of key schemes to the city region authorities as a way of stimulating economic growth.

The Partnership has proposed that with the new powers and funding, the city region authorities will be able to more effectively deliver the short and long-term actions needed to get markets working again.

After a study of the city region the Stockholm Environment Unit found the best way of reducing its carbon footprint by 80% by 2050 involved working within existing settlements and changing behaviour.

[39] The partnership has proposed to Government four major brownfield regeneration sites as alternatives to an eco town in the city region.

The programme of New Growth Point developments supports delivery of 5,000 additional new homes above regional housing targets.

It is focussed within the district of Barnsley Calderdale and Wakefield across a range of tenures and including a variety of affordable homes for rent and owner occupation.