Reform UK's decision to spend up to £142,000 of taxpayers' money on political assistants has been condemned by an opposition councillor.

Cabinet members at Staffordshire County Council approved funding the two roles at their meeting last week, saying they would assist the ruling Reform group and opposition Conservative group with 'research and analysis'.

But Tory county councillor Simon Tagg, who is also leader of Newcastle Borough Council, has hit out at the decision, claiming that it would not benefit Staffordshire residents.

He told a meeting of a borough council that the Conservative group on the county council would not be taking on a political assistant, and would be formally challenging the decision.

Cllr Tagg said: "I was astounded when I saw news that the county council were looking to employ political assistants. The £140,000 is for two political assistants – £70,000 each, with one for the Conservative group. I can confirm that the Conservative group will not be taking up the offer of a political assistant.

Cllr Simon Tagg is also the leader of Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council. (LDRS)

"We've also called in that decision, so there'll be a debate at the county council over that. I think political assistants will not lead to one more pothole being filled, will not lead to one more SEND child being sorted through the system more quickly, and it will not lead to any adult social care improvements.

"I'm mystified. I've seen the county council being run by Reform and they've been getting on with the job they were elected for. They were elected to make savings, but this is the opposite. Spending money on things which won't bring any benefits to residents."

Cllr Tagg was responding to a question from fellow Conservative Andrew Parker, who suggested that the decision to a hire the political assistants demonstrated 'a lack of experience or capability within their cabinet to effectively run the county council'.

The political assistants would be employed on a temporary 12-month basis. County council leaders say political assistants are 'routinely employed' by other authorities around the country, providing elected members with support in areas such as local government reorganisation.

According to the report to cabinet, the political assistants at other councils provide research and briefing support to councillors, evaluate and analyse 'specific areas of interest', and provide an 'administrative and support service' to political groups.