Co-operation between cities, instead of ancient rivalries, has marked northern England’s revival in recent years, so it is with sadness I report an unseemly spat between Leeds and Sheffield over the former’s plan to build a £78m, 12,500-seat entertainment arena.

The business department has declined to approve in its current form an £18m investment in the scheme by Yorkshire Forward, the regional development agency, which it said did not provide value for money.