Labour faces backlash after scrapping 24 road schemes amid welfare spending row

The government has cancelled around two dozen planned highway projects, prompting accusations from Conservatives that money for roads is being diverted to cover rising welfare costs. The cuts have angered some Labour MPs and could sharpen concerns that the party is seen as hostile to motorists, particularly in areas where cars are essential for commuting and school runs.

The cancelled schemes were mostly intended to ease congestion, improve journey times, support economic growth and reduce accidents; only 16 of roughly 40 projects are now expected to proceed. Among those cut are the A31 Farnham Corridor and A127 Economic Growth Corridor, while the welfare bill is forecast to exceed £400 billion by the end of the decade, compared with about £330 billion now. The Department for Transport was responding to the cancellations, but the supplied article text ends mid-statement.