Keir Starmer's defence plans under fire from transport sector over funding - 'Serious mistake'

Experts have demanded that Labour not make any changes to transport budgets to fund defence, or it could lead to serious issues with freight and haulage.

Reports suggest that the Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is expected to announce a huge £15billion boost for the military through the Defence Investment Plan.

It is understood that the Prime Minister has asked Government departments to reduce capital spending by one per cent to fund the defence boost, the Financial Times reported.

The Department for Transport (DfT) and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) are believed to have been asked to make larger cuts to their spending compared to other departments.

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This has been met with strong condemnation from the industry, which has warned that significant changes could be made, or the Government would risk chaos.

The Road Haulage Association has stated that cutting spending on transport and infrastructure would be a "serious mistake".

Richard Smith, MD of the RHA, acknowledged that an increase in defence spending was "inevitable", but that the road freight sector must also be supported.

He said: "We are clear: Transport cannot be treated as an easy saving. If you target transport for an easy saving, you are hampering a key industry that the supply chain and every household and business relies upon.

"Spending money on roads is an investment in the economic health of the country."

The UK's strategic road network carries a staggering 66 per cent of all freight traffic, in addition to a third of all traffic.

National Highways states that this accounts for more than 4,500 miles of motorways and major A-roads, yet accounts for just two per cent of the road network in England.

Almost 80 per cent of domestic freight was moved around the country by road, providing capacity that other modes cannot.

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A report from the Department for Transport and National Highways stated that a doubling of rail capacity would only take 11 per cent of this freight off the road network.

The RHA has called for more investment in the road network to repair and improve local roads for all drivers and the strategically vital A-roads and motorways.

It cited data which shows that congestion costs the country more than £30billion every year in delays and lost productivity.

Mr Smith continued, saying: "Clearly, increasing defence spending, economic growth, and road freight, which accounts for 85 per cent of movement in the country, are all intrinsically linked and vital.

"We call on the Government to ensure there is a balanced approach when reviewing spending and resilience.

"If policymakers are serious about long-term growth, drastically cutting transport and infrastructure would be a serious mistake."

A spokesperson from the Ministry of Defence said the Defence Investment Plan would invest heavily in the UK and deliver the best equipment to frontline troops.

It added that the DIP would be finalised soon and that it would be published "as soon as possible".

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