Chancellor quizzed if and how she'll improve lives across Stoke-on-Trent

The Chancellor's vowed to use her Spring Statement to deliver "security for working people", including those across Cheshire, Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent.

Our Chief Reporter Adam Smith met with Rachel Reeves during her visit to Burslem, to launch a national effort to build 18-thousand new affordable and social homes, with spades in the ground in places like Stoke before 2027.

Her Spring Statement will include a 2-point-2-billion pound uplift in defence spending.

But economic growth forecasts are set to be lowered, and government departments could be told to cut their budgets by 15-percent.

Rachel Reeves says she won't raise taxes or borrow more instead.

In a one-on-one interview, our Chief Reporter Adam Smith quizzed the Chancellor on if her spending decisions will directly impact and improve lives - in particular families - in Stoke-on-Trent.

Rachel Reeves said: "Building homes is absolutely crucial to that - one and a half million homes across this Parliament.

"There's huge opportunities, both at Heritage sites and other sites across the city, but from April, from next week, 3 million workers in Britain, including many in Stoke, are going to get a pay rise to keep taking the minimum wage to £12.20 an hour. That's a £1400 a year increase for someone who works full time on the national living wage."

The Chancellor continued: "We have reduced NHS waiting lists now for five months in a row because of the money that we put into the NHS in the budget last year. And from April, there are going to be free breakfast clubs being rolled out all primary schools - from April and then into September in the next school year, that can save parents up to £450 a year, enable them to work more hours and ensure that kids, including here in Stoke, get the best start in life.

"All that is only possible because we are able to bring stability back to the economy and invest, including by increasing taxes on the wealthiest and on some businesses, in reducing NHS waiting lists and ensuring that children get the best start in life.

"That's what this government will continue to do whilst investing in the future, building more homes, building the home grown energy, building the infrastructure our country desperately needs. So we have a basic principle that we must protect those who need support, and then we must also support those who can work, get back into work, and that's why we've said there will be additional support for those with the most severe disabilities. But at the same time, we're going to put a billion pounds in personalised, targeted support for those people who are out of work today but could get back into work if they had that support."

When questioned on how she'll protect the over 18,000 people in Stoke-on-Trent who are on benefits and on long term sick, the Chancellor replied:

"We believe in the pride and the dignity that comes from work, and at the moment, one in eight young people are not in education, employment and training. It's why we are investing in new apprenticeships, including in the construction sector, so that young people have a life to look forward to, doing a rewarding, fulfilling job, paying a decent wage, is why we're making work pay, giving security to working people, but we need a welfare system that properly supports people and is sustainable for the long run."

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