A City on the Rise: Stoke-on-Trent Takes Bold Vision for the Future to Downing Street
Why Stoke-on-Trent is urging the Government to support its ambitious plans for infrastructure and growth
At the start of its centenary year, Stoke-on-Trent City Council has presented a transformative vision for the city's future, taking a new prospectus, Future 100, directly to the heart of Government.
A high-profile delegation, including the city’s MPs, the council leader, and representatives from the business and voluntary sectors, will deliver the document to 10 Downing Street today. It’s supported by Stoke-on-Trent's three MPs and the city council. The prospectus, subtitled Shaping Our City: Growth for All, sets out an ambitious blueprint to drive economic growth, enhance community well-being, and regenerate the city, all while aligning with national Government priorities.
A Plan for Prosperity and Inclusion
Developed through a coalition of political leaders, business figures, academics, and members of the health and voluntary sectors, the Future 100 document builds on Stoke-on-Trent’s industrial heritage and strategic location at the heart of the UK’s transport network. It also highlights the city's strengths in emerging sectors such as createch and advanced manufacturing.
However, the prospectus doesn’t shy away from the challenges facing Stoke-on-Trent. It acknowledges the negative impact of historic Government underinvestment, industrial decline in the late 20th century, and more than a decade of austerity cuts. This has created a paradox where the city’s economic growth has outpaced the national average in recent years, yet deep-rooted social and economic inequalities persist, leaving too many communities unable to benefit from this progress.
A foreword to the document – co-signed by Councillor Ashworth and the city’s MPs – says: “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.”
In response, Future 100 proposes radical solutions, offering Stoke-on-Trent as a test bed for innovative public service delivery. The prospectus outlines five bold missions, each with measurable targets that will be carried out locally, as a framework for action:
Securing economic growth – with a goal to achieve a local economy worth £9 billion annually by 2030, creating 5,000 additional jobs and increasing the value of locally-contracted supplies by 10%.
Delivering clean energy, sustainable transport, and an improved local environment – including tripling the amount of locally-generated renewable energy and increasing bus passenger journeys by a third over the next five years.
Regenerating the city – with plans to complete or commence the construction of 5,000 new homes, redevelop 150 hectares of brownfield land, and remove five heritage buildings from the 'at risk' register.
Removing barriers to opportunity – aiming to close the attainment gap with the national average and increase the proportion of working-age residents with Level 3 or higher qualifications by 2.5 percentage points.
Improving health and wellbeing – setting targets such as reducing child poverty by five percentage points and increasing healthy life expectancy by two years.
A Partnership with Government
The Future 100 prospectus invites the Government to partner with Stoke-on-Trent in delivering these ambitious plans. Targeted interventions and investments are required in key areas such as transport infrastructure, heritage restoration, and the city’s Family Matters programme, which has reduced the number of children in care.
It also proposes that Stoke-on-Trent becomes a national incubator for public service reform, trialling innovative approaches to educational inclusion and attainment. The document further calls for measures to unlock development, such as a revolving land fund to regenerate brownfield sites and support new council house construction.
Political and Business Support
Council leader Jane Ashworth emphasised the importance of Government backing:
“Stoke-on-Trent is already a nationally important engine of innovation and growth. But for too many of the people who live here, the headline growth in the city’s economy has felt like little more than a number of a spreadsheet. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to create something better.
“The City Prospectus is a radical yet achievable plan to tackle our economic, social and environmental challenges at the same time; to transform the way we deliver services; and to make Stoke-on-Trent not just an engine of growth, but one which provides high quality homes, jobs, skills and opportunities for people across North Staffordshire and beyond.”
Gareth Snell, MP for Stoke-on-Trent Central, echoed these sentiments, stating:
“The Future 100 prospectus sets a series of ambitious targets and outlines what Stoke-on-Trent can contribute. But it also sets out the additional help and resources that the city will need to achieve those goals.”
Allison Gardner, MP for Stoke-on-Trent South, paid tribute to the city’s resilience:
"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.”
David Williams, MP for Stoke-on-Trent North, hailed the prospectus as a game-changer:
"The Future 100 prospectus represents an ambitious vision for Stoke-on-Trent’s next century, rooted in our city’s rich history of creativity, resilience, and innovation.
“This is a moment for real transformation for our city, one where we seize the opportunity to build a thriving, sustainable, and inclusive future for all. With targeted investment and strategic action, we can unlock Stoke-on-Trent’s full potential, creating lasting economic and social benefits that will shape generations to come.”
A Defining Moment for Stoke-on-Trent
As the Future 100 prospectus is delivered to Downing Street, the city stands at a pivotal moment in its history. The vision outlined in this document isn’t just about numbers and infrastructure – it’s about real change that will be felt in communities across North Staffordshire.
With cross-party support, business backing, and a clear commitment to innovation and sustainability, Stoke-on-Trent is making a compelling case for Government investment. The city’s next 100 years will be defined by how well it can leverage this opportunity to secure a future of growth, inclusivity, and prosperity for all its residents.
The City Prospectus is now live and can be viewed by clicking the link - www.stoke.gov.uk/cityprospectus