EAST MIDLANDS — Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced a defense investment plan on Wednesday, which includes a nearly £80 billion increase in overall UK defense spending by 2030, raising it to 2.7% of GDP from 2.6% in 2027. The plan involves a newly announced £15 billion as part of a total £298 billion defense package over the next four years, funded in part by investment cuts to road infrastructure in the East Midlands.

The A46 Newark bypass-widening scheme, one of two East Midlands road projects facing uncertainty, contributes to the £15 billion uplift for defense. Ministers have accepted cuts to capital budgets in transport and energy departments to facilitate this increase in defense spending.

East Midlands Mayor Claire Ward stated she was informed of these road investment cuts while Starmer was delivering his speech. "I was informed of this decision as the prime minister was delivering his speech on the defence investment plan," Ward said. She also noted that trade-offs are necessary for increased defense investment. "The trade-offs here are ones I understand. I understand that increasing investment into defence means removing it from other things. I understand that everywhere will need to contribute so that we can be safe in a less certain world."

Reform UK MP for Newark Robert Jenrick expressed anger regarding the project's disruption. "I am furious that such an important project for the area has been thrown into disarray," Jenrick said. He added that the decision was made without debate. "It is shameful that such a big decision has been snuck out by the government without any debate."

Starmer said the current strategy aims for 3% defense spending during the next parliament. The plan puts the UK on a trajectory to reach that figure, which remains below the NATO target of 3.5% by 2035.