UK Chancellor Pledges £500 Million for Road Repairs

In her first budget as Chancellor, Rachel Reeves announced an additional £500 million for highway maintenance, increasing the total funding for England to over £1.625 billion. This funding aims to address the widespread pothole crisis, with a commitment to fix over a million potholes annually, significantly exceeding previous government promises. Labour's plan includes devolving funding to local authorities and also extends support to Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The budget also maintains a freeze on fuel duty and incentives for electric vehicles, while setting a cap on bus fares at £3. The funding is seen as a crucial step in improving road safety and reducing vehicle repair costs, which average £460 for drivers affected by potholes. The government is expected to announce specific allocations for local authorities in the coming months.