Council leader wants guarantee European funds will still be provided post-Brexit

European money is diverted to local authorities to pay for regeneration schemes and job creation programmes.

Coun Box said: “Since 2000, Wakefield has received significant EU funding and there are bids in for programmes running to 2020. At this point, it is unclear if there are any implications to these programmes.

“However I will be calling on the government to guarantee that the EU Funding currently on the table is secured.”

Local authorities are already facing multi-million pound budget cuts. Wakefield must save £27m this financial year.

The terms of Britain’s exit from the EU are not yet clear and negotiations could take at least two years.

Coun Box said: “Any action taken by the chancellor must be done in consultation with local government, as yet more cuts to public funding will significantly damage our ability to manage the changes that may come in the future.

“I am meeting business leaders from across the district and the wider City Region, both now and in the coming weeks, so that we can work together to ensure stability and continue to support the local economy.

“Wakefield has strong ambitions and has already established links across the world and we are determined to continue to grow and develop these partnerships.

“We will carry on with our efforts to attract inward investment to support our economy.

“Wakefield Council will continue to work with our partners in business, local and national government to do all we can to ensure a positive future for this district.”