He emphasizes the necessity for the government to enhance support for communities outside major cities, particularly in light of the electoral threat posed by Reform UK.

Houghton criticizes recent government measures, such as cuts to winter fuel allowances and disability benefits, which have adversely affected around 10 million pensioners and other vulnerable populations.

He stresses the importance of investing in regional towns, which represent a larger population than big cities, warning that neglecting these areas could have negative political consequences.

He warns that current government decisions on benefits are causing significant hardship, especially as local elections approach on May 2, 2025.

Houghton notes that concerns about migration among voters in towns like Barnsley and Doncaster stem from feelings of neglect by successive governments, rather than migration itself.

Houghton believes that supporting vulnerable populations economically would not overly strain the budget, cautioning that slow economic growth could lead to further cuts.

Sir Stephen Houghton, leader of Barnsley Council, has called for urgent cost-of-living support and increased capital investment in towns to combat voter disillusionment in former industrial areas.

The mayoral race in Doncaster is particularly competitive, with Labour's Ros Jones facing a significant challenge from Reform's Alexander Jones.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has acknowledged that the upcoming Runcorn and Helsby by-election on May 5, 2025, will be a challenging contest against Reform UK.

Polling suggests that Reform UK could potentially take control of Doncaster, the only Labour-run council among the 23 being contested, raising alarms about Labour's future in the region.

He argues that addressing social cohesion requires more than just community discussions; actionable support is necessary to tackle the underlying issues.

Houghton anticipates significant capital investment from Chancellor Rachel Reeves in the upcoming spending review, urging her to consider flexible funding options to address immediate revenue needs.