The leader of Stoke-on-Trent City Council has called the 2025 Budget "the strongest support for working families Stoke-on-Trent has seen in 15 years".

Council Leader Jane Ashworth said that the announcements will make a real and immediate difference to households across the city.

The Budget, delivered yesterday (Wednesday 26 November) by Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves, included policies such as scrapping the two-child benefit cap, an increase in National Minimum Wage and Living Wage, and freezing rail fares.

Cllr Ashworth said: "After 14 years of Tory neglect, this Budget finally delivers for Stoke-on-Trent.

"It's bold, it's fair, and it backs the people who keep our city running. The abolition of the two-child cap is a landmark moment. Thousands of children in our city will grow up with more security and more opportunity.

"You don't level up a city by slogans. You do it by putting money in people's pockets, investing in skills, and giving families a fair shot. That's exactly what this Budget does."

The Budget also includes the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme (BCSSS) to boost the pensions of former mineworkers which Cllr Ashworth described as "justice for Stoke-on-Trent's former miners".

Cllr Ashworth added: "This Budget backs working people and supports our young people.

"It backs our former miners who powered Britain - and now they are finally seeing the respect and fairness they have always deserved.

"It puts money into the pockets of those who need it most and focuses help where it has the biggest impact.

"This Budget recognises something the previous government never understood: when you back working people, the whole country grows."