Stoke-on-Trent Council chiefs deliver city prospectus to Downing Street
They want the government to help ‘unlock the city region’s full potential’
Last updated 27th Feb 2025
Political and business leaders from Stoke-on-Trent have called on the government to help ‘unlock the city region’s full potential’ – with new investment and devolved powers. Stoke-on-Trent City Council, along with its public, private and voluntary sector partners, has produced a new prospectus document – Future 100 – which sets out the challenges facing the city and proposes a raft of measures to tackle them, in areas such as transport, housing, education and economic development.
A delegation from Stoke-on-Trent, including councillors, MPs and business representatives, brought the prospectus to Downing Street on Wednesday, before attending meetings with government officials. The prospectus says that while Stoke-on-Trent’s economic growth has outstripped the country as a whole in recent years, the city still suffers from high levels of deprivation, low wages, poor health and below average educational attainment.
It argues that government investment in key areas, along with new powers, will allow the city to start fulfilling its potential and become a regional powerhouse. According to the prospectus, by 2030 Stoke-on-Trent could have 5,000 more homes, five per cent fewer children living in poverty, millions more bus journeys each year and a local economy worth £9 billion a year – if the requests are granted.
The foreword to the document, signed by council leader Jane Ashworth and the city’s three MPs, states: “Stoke-on-Trent already has a dynamic, diverse and highly integrated economy; a rich cultural heritage; and an indomitable sense of community spirit. The city is a strategic hub, connecting labour, goods and services across the region and the UK. With Government support and investment, we can overcome current challenges to create a city that is prosperous, inclusive and sustainable, delivering economic and social benefits locally and nationally for decades to come.
“We invite the Government to partner with us to unlock this city region’s full potential, transform our citizens’ lives and unleash a new era of creativity and innovation.”
Some of the key requests to government include:
Investment in road infrastructure, including the M6, A50 and A500 to speed up economic growth and unlock new commercial sites
Targeted investment in ‘high-growth’ sectors, such as creative, digital and advanced manufacturing
A ‘serious’ capital funding allocation to transform bus services, including the creation of a rapid bus or very light rail network to connect towns across North Staffordshire
The creation of a ‘revolving land fund’ to assemble and reclaim brownfield sites and ensure an increased housing pipeline.
Enabling the city council to build more council homes by removing restrictions on borrowing and providing access to grant funding
Making Stoke-on-Trent a ‘national test-bed’ for educational inclusion to bring more children into mainstream schools, and devolving control over adult skills resources
Cllr Ashworth believes the prospectus can succeed where previous ‘masterplans’ have failed due to it having the support of partners across Stoke-on-Trent, and because it aligns with the government’s own priorities in areas such as economic growth and removing barriers to opportunity.
She said: “This prospectus wasn’t just put together by city council officers sat in a room. It’s the result of a collaboration with partners in business, education, health and the voluntary sector. We have all come together to discuss what the city needs.
“And our plans align very well with the government’s five missions. That is the point we are making today – what we’re proposing won’t just be good for the residents in Stoke-on-Trent, it will also be good for the country as a whole.
“In November the city’s three MPs and myself had a meeting with the minister Matthew Pennycook, and we told him that Stoke-on-Trent is ready, willing and able to contribute to growth the government wants to see.
“I totally sympathise with the government in terms of having to deal with the huge financial black hole that they inherited. With a lot of the projects proposed by the previous government, such as the Stoke to Leek railway line, there simply wasn’t a budget for them.
“But government investment in Stoke-on-Trent will give a much better return than putting more money into areas that have already seen a lot of investment.”
The prospectus has been published as councils across England have been told to come up with reorganisation plans, in response to the government’s devolution white paper. Ministers have made it clear that the biggest devolution deals – including some of the funding and powers requested in the prospectus – will only go to areas that have mayoral combined authorities.
But Cllr Ashworth says that government investment in Stoke-on-Trent cannot wait for devolution to be carried out in the area.
She added: “We are on board with the idea of bringing more powers to Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire. But devolution could take three years to happen, and we can’t afford to wait that long – we need the investment now, and I think we can make a start. The number of councillors that the area has really isn’t a first order concern.”
Allison Gardner, MP for Stoke-on-Trent South, is hopeful that the government will support the council’s ambitions.
She said: “Our city, shaped by its rich industrial history, has always been a place of hard work and innovation. The same spirit that built our city can lead it into a new chapter, driving the country forward once again. Stoke-on-Trent stands strong and proud, despite having been let down previously by the central Government. With the support of this Labour government, our potential is limitless.”
David Williams, MP for Stoke-on-Trent North, said: “The Future 100 prospectus represents a bold and ambitious vision for Stoke-on-Trent’s next century, rooted in our city’s rich history of creativity, resilience, and innovation.
“For too long our city has not received the investment we deserve. We were hit hard by austerity and post-industrial decline stifled economic growth. The Future 100 prospectus represents a turning point, ensuring real investment in our transport infrastructure, beloved community assets, business growth and in improving opportunity for all.”
The prospectus lists around 30 local organisations that have been involved in its development, including Staffordshire University, Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce, Port Vale, Michelin Tyres, Re-Form Heritage and YMCA North Staffordshire.