Local organisations, good causes and the city’s ongoing Centenary celebrations are all set to benefit from a multi-million-pound funding boost.
The Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Funding (UKSPF) scheme has been extended to the end of March 2026 – with the city council allocated a further £4.4 million to distribute for the next 12 months.
If approved by Cabinet on 29th April – and pending the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Government – the money will be used for a raft of projects.
Some £500,000 will go towards extending a crackdown on anti-social behaviour which has helped make Stoke-on-Trent a safer, cleaner city.
There will be support for Ford Green Hall and Etruria Industrial Museum, and small grants to support the city’s vital hospitality and tourism sectors.
The city council will also expand a Money MOTs scheme to help people claim money they are entitled to – it has already helped identify around £4 million in unclaimed benefits since it was launched 18 months ago.
UKSPF funds will also support a masterplan to transform the city centre and drive economic growth.
Other projects include
- A new worker to keep city-centre streets clean and tidy;
- Arts projects to brighten up the city – including street art and canal side murals;
- Small grants for community events to attract new visitors;
- Support for innovation among small businesses and social enterprises;
- Extending the Inclusive Employability Hub, which supports people to find work;
- Fully-funded adult maths courses to improving numeracy skills;
- AI-focused training to allow people to benefit from new technologies and open up new job opportunities;
- Skills Hubs to support small businesses to upskill their workers.
The projects – chosen by an expert investment board – all directly support the council’s mission to drive up skill levels and make the city a healthier, wealthier, safer, greener, cleaner and fairer place.
Councillor Jane Ashworth, Leader of Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: “This extra UKSPF funding gives us a fantastic opportunity to work with residents, businesses and community organisations to benefit the city as a whole and build on the work of the last two years.
“It is a mix of funding the continuation of successful ongoing projects, which are making a real difference, and providing a boost to a range of new initiatives.”
In 2023, the city council secured almost £9.5 million from the UKSPF to support key initiatives over a two-year period.
Around £3 million was allocated to a number of priority projects to help tackle key issues within the city; while £6 million was awarded to businesses and local groups.
