Overview
- The government confirmed a roughly £15bn increase to the Defence Investment Plan and named the A38 (Derby) and A46 (Newark Bypass) as candidate road schemes to be cancelled to help pay for it.
- A senior defence minister said consultations are under way and no final decision has been taken, but he acknowledged strong local anger over the proposals.
- East Midlands leaders have mobilised in response, with the mayor organising a cross‑party group of MPs, councils and stakeholders and Nottinghamshire County Council writing to the Transport Secretary to express "grave concern and utter disappointment."
- Local officials say the cuts would remove about £900m of regional roads funding and would hit jobs, housing delivery, daily commutes and supply chains for firms such as Rolls‑Royce.
- The Department for Transport has said it will consult those most affected but has not set out the scope or timetable for that process and local actors expect decisions could be deferred until national leadership changes are completed.