Oral Answers to Questions

Jacob Collier Excerpts

Tuesday 3rd December 2024 Commons Chamber

[Rachel Reeves]

No Chancellor of the Exchequer would write five years’ worth of Budget in their first five months in post, but I can say that we will never have to deliver a Budget like that again. We took decisions in this Budget in order to wipe the slate clean after the mismanagement, decline and chaos of the previous Government. That required us to make difficult decisions, but we were right to make them, so that we can get going with our plans to achieve growth and reform public services, and deliver the NHS and schools that our country desperately needs.

[Jacob Collier (Burton and Uttoxeter) (Lab)]

T4. The A50/A500 and Branston bridge in my constituency are just two examples of infrastructure projects that need investment. What investment is the Department making to improve our roads and infrastructure?

[The Chief Secretary to the Treasury (Darren Jones)]

My hon. Friend has campaigned extensively on this issue in his constituency. I understand that National Highways continues to develop proposals to improve the A50/A500 corridor through Uttoxeter. That is part of the pipeline of projects for future road investment strategies. He will know that in the Budget, we invested £1.6 billion to maintain and renew the nation’s local roads. That includes a £500 million increase in 2025-26 alone.