UK scrubs East Midlands road projects to fund defence spending

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced that certain road and energy capital projects will be halted to raise funding for the Defence Investment Plan, which seeks to increase defence spending by £15 billion, leaving nearly £5 billion still unfunded. The move will cancel about £900 million of road investment in the East Midlands, including the A46 Newark Bypass upgrade and the A38 upgrades in Derby.

East Midlands Mayor Claire Ward called the decision "completely unacceptable", arguing it unfairly targets the region despite decades of under‑investment. She urged the government to seek contributions from other regions and sectors, stressing that reliable roads are essential for the defence industry and for regional safety and economic growth. The cancellation of the A46 contract, valued at roughly £300 million, has heightened concerns about transport, road safety and regional development.