Key issues answered in pre-election debate

Yahoo

14-04-2025

Six candidates hoping to be the first mayor of Hull and East Yorkshire have answered questions from the public during a debate.
Broadcast by BBC Radio Humberside, it was hosted by BBC East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire political editor Tim Iredale.
Reform UK's Luke Campbell, Yorkshire Party's Rowan Halstead, Conservative Anne Handley, Kerry Harrison for the Green Party, Labour's Margaret Pinder and Liberal Democrat Mike Ross took part.
Below are some of their answers to key topics put forward during the live stream by members of the public, which you can watch here.
Melanie Charlton, manager at the Helping Others community charity shop, asked the question about her local high street in Goole, and claimed business rates are "absolutely killing" the town.
Luke Campbell said he would talk to the council about "common sense ideas" to give business rate relief, turning derelict shops into thriving community hubs for people. He said "we need to get that [pride] back" in towns and cities.
Rowan Halstead said he would enable the police to tackle those involved in human trafficking and money laundering. He said he would ensure people who attend events can access free transport to get there.
Anne Handley said she would have a pot of funding "just for our high streets" to support "local small shops". Asked, as leader of East Riding of Yorkshire Council, why the authority is consulting on parking charges, she added that "under no circumstances" will the council put them up.
Kerry Harrison said people are struggling with the cost of living and changing shopping habits. She said she would make high streets affordable and accessible and "bring buses back into public ownership".
Margaret Pinder said she would make high streets accessible, making them "hubs of the community" by tackling anti-social behaviour and "getting trouble-makers off the high streets". She said she wants to make high streets thrive so businesses come back.
Mike Ross said he would introduce a high street fund for the region and recognised the importance of "getting new life back into these high streets". He said he would support small and medium businesses as well as bringing investment in.
James Ellis, 21, from Hull, asked the question and said "it's hard to get on the property ladder".
Luke Campbell said he would set up a scheme for first-time buyers and has a fund available. He would convert derelict buildings into affordable homes, supporting shared ownership and 'rent to own'.
Rowan Halstead said attracting businesses should be a priority to promote jobs and enable homes to be built. He said they should be "real community-led houses" with outside spaces, which put people and families first.
Anne Handley said infrastructure needs to form part of developers' submitted plans, adding investment was also needed.
Kerry Harrison said she would push for a pilot scheme to help people get financial security to get on to the housing ladder. She said she would look at refurbishing and regenerating houses to make them sustainable.
Margaret Pinder said young people "deserve to have decent accommodation" and suggested smaller, affordable units for all ages. She said houses should be spread evenly across communities.
Mike Ross said the government's housing targets were "ambitious" and "challenging" and called for a "proper plan" for where houses and related infrastructure are built.
Sharlah Cantwell, chair of Aldbrough Parish Council, asked the question, and said public transport in rural communities was "limited or non-existent".
Luke Campbell said "no rural town should feel cut off". He said he would take back control of bus companies which should be "for the people" and "not for profit".
Rowan Halstead said he supported public ownership of transport and would work with councils and bus companies. Profit makers would subsidise companies making a loss, he said. Social isolation "is killing people", he added.
Anne Handley said she would look at improving rural transport across the region and introduce "an integrated transport solution".
Kerry Harrison said she would bring the bus network back into public ownership because, she said, it is a service "people need" and should be "led for the public".
Margaret Pinder said she would bring buses back into public control, running them "where the service is needed" over "where the profits lay". She said "safe, late night transport" was also important for women and girls.
Mike Ross would not rule out public ownership of buses but said "it's not a quick overnight process". He said he would like to work with bus companies and councils to improve services.
Andy Haines, CEO of Age UK Hull & East Yorkshire, asked the question and said the rising older population "cannot afford to retire".
Luke Campbell said he would work with colleges, businesses and skills hubs, to encourage employment opportunities.
Rowan Halstead said he would develop apprenticeships for all ages, working with businesses and educational establishments to ensure the workforce was ready when required. He said he would also provide free transport so location, age and money did not become barriers to employment.
Anne Handley said she would work with Age UK and educational providers to "upskill and reskill the aging population".
Kerry Harrison said "it's quite depressing" that people cannot afford to retire. She said when getting older people back into work, accessibility through hybrid working is important to accommodate mental and physical health. She added this is also important for young people and people with disabilities.
Margaret Pinder said she would help older people use their experience to set up businesses, creating jobs and helping them become self-employed.
Mike Ross said he would work with businesses to identify skills gaps and the providers to help fill them.
Luke Campbell said people need change and a fresh start was needed to connect people and get results.
Rowan Halstead said he was the local candidate "not shackled" by a national party and said he would put people in the region first.
Anne Handley said she would make a difference and added she had delivered on a promise to create a combined mayoral authority.
Kerry Harrison said Hull and East Yorkshire needs a fresh approach and perspective to understand issues and challenges.
Margaret Pinder said, by having both a Labour mayor and a Labour government, she could deliver across the county.
Mike Ross said there was the opportunity to do "wonderful things" and it requires someone with his experience.
The full list of candidates standing for the seat are:
Luke Campbell - Reform UK
Rowan Halstead - Yorkshire Party
Anne Handley - Conservative
Kerry Harrison - Green
Margaret Pinder - Labour
Mike Ross - Liberal Democrats
Information about the 1 May mayoral election and how to vote can be found here.
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