Chancellor pulls cash to plug £22bn black hole
Labour's ambitious promise to fill one million more potholes each year and allocate £8.3 billion for road repairs has been cast into uncertainty as Chancellor Rachel Reeves reallocates funds to address a £22 billion financial shortfall.
Concerns over road repair blitz
The decision to reallocate funds came shortly after Sir Keir Starmer vowed to launch a road repair blitz during his election campaign, leaving the future of the pothole-filling pledge in doubt.
Previous commitments questioned
Despite Prime Minister Boris Johnson's assurance that the plan was fully funded, with money from deferring the Arundel A27 bypass and scrapping HS2, Chancellor Reeves' recent actions have raised questions about the sustainability of these commitments.
Reassurances from the government
While the Department for Transport reiterated the government's commitment to addressing pothole issues, details on funding sources remain unclear. Plans to provide funding for road repairs will be outlined in the upcoming Spending Review.
Industry concerns
Industry experts, including AA president Edmund King and RAC's Simon Williams, have expressed concerns over the potential impact of diverting funds meant for road repairs. The fate of the £8.3 billion investment plan for road improvements is now under review.
Shadow Transport Secretary's response
Shadow Transport Secretary Helen Whately criticized the government's decision, highlighting the challenges of funding public services solely through economic growth and pointing out the implications for road investment.
