Ministers ‘furious’ over cuts to road projects to fund defence plan

Hamish Falconer said he was disappointed by the uncertainty over the A46 upgrade programme which was ‘well advanced, long awaited … and of strategic importance to Lincoln and the region’. Photograph: Modern Architecture and Construction/Paul White/Alamy View image in fullscreen Hamish Falconer said he was disappointed by the uncertainty over the A46 upgrade programme which was ‘well advanced, long awaited … and of strategic importance to Lincoln and the region’. Photograph: Modern Architecture and Construction/Paul White/Alamy Ministers ‘furious’ over cuts to road projects to fund defence plan Robert Jenrick and MP for Lincoln among those whose constituencies could be hit by cuts to road infrastructure plans The MP for Lincoln and the Middle East minister, Hamish Falconer, and the Reform MP Robert Jenrick have voiced anger at the cancellation or delay of key transport infrastructure projects to fund the defence investment plan . Falconer and Jenrick were among MPs who have had cuts to road improvements in their constituencies, with savings contributing towards the increase in defence spending. Two roads in the East Midlands are among those where investment cuts have been made to fund a £15bn uplift in defence. The mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward, said she had been unaware of the forthcoming cuts until Keir Starmer had made his defence investment plan (Dip) speech on Wednesday. Overall defence spending will rise from 2.6% of GDP in 2027 to 2.7%, or nearly £80bn, by 2030. Starmer said that would put the UK “on a trajectory” to hit 3% in the next parliament, although it remains well below a Nato target of 3.5% by 2035. Transport and energy are among the areas where ministers have accepted cuts to their departments’ capital budgets to fund the increase in defence spending. In an unusually angry statement for a sitting minister, Falconer said: “I am disappointed by the uncertainty today about the A46 Newark bypass-widening scheme. I support further funding for the Dip, but the A46 upgrade programme is well advanced, long awaited, excellent value for money and of strategic importance to both Lincoln and the region. 10:38 Is the UK spending enough on defence? - The Latest “Following the Labour party leadership contest, I will be seeking an urgent meeting with the incoming prime minister, incoming chancellor and incoming secretary of state for transport to discuss this decision and explore whether there is a credible route forward for this vital project.” Jenrick, the MP for Newark who defected to Reform from the Conservatives earlier this year, said he was “furious that such an important project for the area has been thrown into disarray”. Burnham left with £4.7bn bill for Starmer’s new defence investment plan Read more He said the Reform UK leader, Nigel Farage, had promised to reverse the cuts should the party win the next election. “This makes a mockery of Andy Burnham’s commitment to bring investment to all parts of the country. I have writt