Key Asks from Government on the 1st Anniversary of the General Election
Posted on Friday 4th July 2025
Ian Cooper
The Leader of Staffordshire County Council has set out the council’s three asks from Government – as the country marks one year since the General Election (today, Friday July 4).
Ian Cooper highlighted: Support for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), funding for a growing ageing population and long-term investment in roads as areas which still need addressing, 12 months on.
Ian said:
These are key national issues which are putting unsustainable pressure on the budgets of councils like Staffordshire. A national review of care is now long overdue and urgently needs to be addressed by Government.
We also want to see meaningful investment in our roads. This is a top priority for the new cabinet as better roads and transport links are important to families and crucial to attracting investment and supporting businesses to flourish.
To add further to the budget pressures, local councils are also having to deal with the expense and uncertainty on Local Government Reorganisation and Devolution – neither of which were highlighted in the Government’s plans before its election.”
The one-year anniversary also marks changes to three major decisions by the Government since the election; on the winter fuel allowance, a national inquiry into grooming gangs and welfare reforms.
Ian added:
It is important that any Government, national or local, stays in step with the people they serve.We have made our priorities for Staffordshire clear and we will be making taxpayers’ money work as hard as it can to deliver the maximum benefits for Staffordshire’s residents, businesses and our amazing county.
But now is the time for Government to listen too to local government and address those key national priorities which ultimately risk crippling councils without urgent action.”