Defence Spending Boost Triggers Road Investment Backlash Across the East Midlands

Plans to increase UK defence spending have ignited a political row after ministers confirmed that funding for several major road projects will be delayed or withdrawn to help finance the government's new defence investment programme.

Among the schemes affected are key highway improvements in the East Midlands, prompting criticism from Labour, Reform UK and regional leaders alike, who argue that vital infrastructure projects are being sacrificed despite years of planning and local support.

The government has announced that defence spending will rise from 2.6% of GDP in 2027 to 2.7% by 2030, equating to almost £80bn annually. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer also signalled an ambition to increase defence spending further to 3% of GDP during the next Parliament, although that remains below NATO's longer-term target of 3.5% by 2035.

To fund the additional investment, departments including Transport and Energy have agreed reductions to their capital budgets, resulting in several infrastructure schemes being postponed or reassessed.

One of the most significant projects affected is the long-awaited A46 Newark bypass improvement. The scheme, widely regarded as a strategic route for both Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire, has now been thrown into uncertainty despite years of development work.

Labour MP for Lincoln and Middle East Minister Hamish Falconer publicly expressed disappointment at the decision, describing the project as strategically important for the region and highlighting that it represented strong value for taxpayers.

While backing increased investment in national defence, Falconer said he intended to press the next Prime Minister, Chancellor and Transport Secretary to reconsider the decision once the Labour leadership contest concludes, arguing there should still be a pathway to delivering the scheme.

The announcement has also drawn a strong response from Reform UK's Robert Jenrick, MP for Newark, who accused the government of abandoning an essential regional infrastructure project without proper consultation.

Jenrick said residents deserved answers over why the scheme had been delayed and claimed Reform UK leader Nigel Farage had committed to reinstating the project should the party enter government following the next General Election.

He argued the decision undermined wider commitments to regional investment and pledged to continue campaigning until construction begins.

The reaction has not been confined to Westminster.

East Midlands Mayor Claire Ward criticised the way the decision was communicated, revealing she was only informed while the Prime Minister was delivering his speech outlining the Defence Investment Plan.

Ward accepted that increased defence spending inevitably requires difficult financial choices but questioned why the East Midlands appeared to be carrying such a significant share of the burden.

She argued that removing approximately £900 million of planned road investment from a region that has historically experienced lower levels of infrastructure funding risks widening existing economic inequalities.

Ward also said regional mayors should be treated as genuine partners by central government and involved in major decisions affecting local investment rather than being informed after key announcements have already been made.

The wider funding package has also generated political debate over its longer-term affordability.

Andy Burnham, widely expected to become the next Prime Minister following Labour's leadership transition, is expected to inherit a significant funding challenge. Reports suggest an estimated £4.7bn still needs to be identified to fully finance the Defence Investment Plan during its early years.

Opposition figures have described the situation as leaving an incoming administration with a substantial budgetary shortfall, while government sources maintain that strengthening national security requires difficult spending decisions across Whitehall.

Overall, the Defence Investment Plan is expected to cost around £298bn over the next four years, including an additional £15bn announced this week.

Alongside increased conventional defence spending, the programme includes major investment in the UK's nuclear submarine fleet, with around £47bn allocated for future capability, as well as an expanded commitment to military drone technology worth £5bn.