Keir Starmer is putting local councils on notice: fix potholes properly or risk losing funding. The Prime Minister has pledged £4.8 billion to repair motorways and major A-roads, with £1.6 billion set aside for local road maintenance. But there’s a catch—councils must now provide annual progress reports or face funding cuts.
Speaking on BBC 5 Live, Starmer said, “It gives local accountability so we can see who's doing the most and where they're doing it”
“We'll start to measure what works better and make sure we're driving best practice, because… the last thing you want to do is to fill a pothole, then six weeks later, it rains and you're back with the same problem.
“This gives a real line of accountability, but, in a sense, it's the government just wanting to get our sleeves rolled up and say we know what the problem is, we know how much it costs if you hit one, and we need a mechanism to hold local authorities to account.”
He stressed the importance of accountability, saying councils need to show where they’re making progress so taxpayers can see results.
Potholes aren’t just annoying—they’re expensive. Hitting one could leave drivers with a £600 repair bill, and Starmer knows it’s a problem that needs serious attention.
Councils will now have to break down their spending, detail the number of potholes filled, and outline long-term plans to prevent damage—especially with wetter winters ahead. By October, local communities must also have a say in where repairs are needed.
While the government’s funding will help major projects like the A428 Black Cat upgrade in Cambridgeshire and improvements to the A47 near Norwich, the Local Government Association estimates the backlog for local road repairs sits at a massive £17 billion.
The political blame game is already in full swing. Starmer says fixing roads is key to improving everyday life, saying, "The broken roads we inherited are not only risking lives but also cost working families, drivers and businesses hundreds – if not thousands of pounds – in avoidable vehicle repairs.”
“Fixing the basic infrastructure this country relies on is central to delivering national renewal, improving living standards and securing Britain’s future through our Plan for Change.”
The Conservatives claim Labour is “steering Britain into a ditch.” Shadow Transport Secretary Gareth Bacon accused Labour of being "more interested in chasing headlines than laying tarmac", and said Conservative-run councils repair far more roads than Labour ones.
So, will this plan finally fix the UK’s crumbling roads, or is it just another political pothole?
