A neighbourhood in Stoke-on-Trent is set to receive up to £20 million from the government over the next decade.

The money will be focused on regeneration in Bentilee and Ubberley through projects led by the local community and the area is one of 25 other "trailblazer neighbourhoods" across the UK which will receive the funds.

The money - announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves as part of today's Comprehensive Spending Review - will help drive forward the changes the government wants to see over the next decade.

Rachel Reeves said today in the House of Commons: "I know what pride people feel in their communities—I see it everywhere I go—but I also know that, for too many people, there is a sense that something has been lost as high streets have declined, community spaces have closed, and jobs and opportunity have gone elsewhere. 

"The renewal of Britain must be felt everywhere." 

The Chancellor added the money could be used to improve "parks, youth facilities, swimming pools and libraries, and to support councils in fighting back against graffiti and fly-tipping."

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) will now work with partners in the trailblazer areas to develop schemes and "provide a direct route into Whitehall". 

MHCLG said the money would "support improvements people can see on their doorstep, champion local leadership, foster community engagement and strengthen social cohesion".

The city council will provide support to the community to bring forward proposals, align them to ongoing council work, and ensure benefits are felt across the wider city.

Cllr Jane Ashworth, leader of Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: "This is a truly transformational sum of money which will make a real difference to people's lives for decades to come. 

"It is also recognition of the work we have already been doing to empower communities to have more control over the places where they live.

 "We will support the people of Bentilee and Ubberley to secure the maximum benefits from this investment, and ensure that those benefits are felt as widely as possible by the people who need it most."

The Spending Review also included increased spending across government departments, including three per cent a year more for the NHS.

The Chancellor also announced £39 billion for social and affordable housing, an extension to the £3 bus fare cap to 2027 and the end of asylum hotels by 2029.

On the Conservative benches, Shadow Chancellor Mel Stride, said the Spending Review was "not worth the paper it was written on", labelling the government's plans "spend now, tax later".

-------

READ: Successful Newcastle-under-Lyme business support project returns for second phase

Free from clickbait, pop-up ads and unwanted surveys, Stoke Nub News is a quality online newspaper for our city.

Subscribe to our FREE weekly newsletter email HERE - or just click the green 'SUBSCRIBE' button.

Please consider following Stoke Nub News on Facebook, X or Instagram.