Keir Starmer leaves drivers fuming with final 'woeful' act as PM

Keir Starmer is set to stand down as Prime Minister this summer, but not before axing road funding worth hundreds of millions of pounds and redirecting it to defence spending

Adam Cailler Senior reporter and MSN lead and Luke Chillingsworth

08:47, 02 Jul 2026Updated 08:47, 02 Jul 2026

[Keir Starmer will take money for roads projects and push it into defence spending]

Keir Starmer will take money for roads projects and push it into defence spending(Image: Getty)

Keir Starmer will land drivers with one final blow before stepping down as Prime Minister in a decision that has left motoring experts livid. The Prime Minister has announced that funds earmarked for road schemes will now be diverted towards defence expenditure, with infrastructure proposals scrapped.

Resources for two fresh road schemes in the East Midlands are understood to have been slashed as part of 700million worth of Department for Transport cutbacks. The DfT will also examine modest reductions to previously uncommitted roads funding in yet another setback for Britain's motorists.

The Treasury has confirmed that funding for local councils to repair potholes and road deterioration will remain intact. Yet concerns persist that the money will prove insufficient, with ministers pledging 7.3billion against an 18.62billion repair backlog.

[Some road infrastructure projects have been axed]

Some road infrastructure projects have been axed(Image: Getty)

David Giles, Chair of the Asphalt Industry Alliance (AIA), emphasised the latest development was deeply disappointing, with Britain's roads now in a "woeful" state.

David said: "It is disappointing that capital funding for new road projects looks set to be cut, but it is vital that the Government honours the pledge made today to protect funding for local authorities to carry out much-needed road maintenance and pothole repairs.", reports the Express.

"We understand that in an increasingly challenging world tough public funding decisions must be made. However, local roads in England and Wales are already in a woeful condition and face a backlog of repairs that now stands at a whopping 18.62 billion."

It's not merely automotive specialists who have condemned the announcement, with East Midlands mayor Claire Ward lashing out at the decision.

Article continues below

Meanwhile, Reform MP Robert Jentick has also slammed the move, emphasising that he was "furious" that a crucial project had been plunged into chaos.

The new Defence Investment Plan is expected to be amongst Keir Starmer's final acts in office, with the Prime Minister due to step down at the end of the Labour leadership contest this summer. This could be as early as July 20 if Andy Burnham remains the sole candidate to replace Starmer as party leader.

[]

Join Gold Star!

Gold Star is the latest chapter in the evolution of the Daily Star. Our premium digital service has launched, offering you even more of our brilliant journalism but with even fewer adverts.

And if you do, this is what youll get:

- A new ad-lite subscription service offering unlimited access to Gold Star and our app, as well as a cleaner viewing experience with far fewer ads

- Access to exclusive subscriber-only articles crafted specifically for readers who want their stories to dig a little deeper. This will include unique insight from our writers alongside thought-provoking comment

- Bespoke special offers, rewards and competitions from our partners

- Access our Gold Nuggets, the juiciest picks from the Daily Star - no digging required!

- The most fun you can have with a daily news brand anywhere in the world!

Membership starts at 1.99 a month or 12 for the year. These are both Gold Star launch offers for the next 12 months so make sure you dont miss out.

Click on this article to subscribe

[Dailystar Icon]

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Choose Daily Star as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.

[Google Preferred Source Badge]

At Reach and across our entities we and our partners use information collected through cookies and other identifiers from your device to improve experience on our site, analyse how it is used and to show personalised advertising. You can opt out of the sale or sharing of your data, at any time clicking the "Do Not Sell or Share my Data" button at the bottom of the webpage. Please note that your preferences are browser specific. Use of our website and any of our services represents your acceptance of the use of cookies and consent to the practices described in our Privacy Notice and Terms and Conditions.