Government Commits £15.6bn to City Tram, Rail & Bus Upgrades Across England

In a bold move aimed at rebalancing the scales of national investment, Chancellor Rachel Reeves has unveiled a sweeping £15.6 billion transport package focused on the North and the Midlands, regions long overshadowed by the capital. Standing before a crowd in Rotherham, Reeves didn’t mince words: she called out the “uneven distribution” of infrastructure funding that has, for years, left entire swathes of the UK behind.

This is more than a spending announcement; it’s a statement of intent. Buses, railways, and roads: all set to receive significant upgrades designed to benefit the millions who commute, live, and build businesses outside of London. “These plans,” Reeves declared, “are targeted squarely on the renewal of Britain.” And with that, a new chapter in regional development was set in motion.

Breaking down the numbers, Greater Manchester is set to receive £2.5 billion. Mayor Andy Burnham welcomed the funding as transformative, describing it as the start of a “new era” for the region. West Yorkshire isn’t far behind, with £2.1 billion earmarked for projects across its towns and cities. The West Midlands will benefit from a £2.4 billion injection. In comparison, the Liverpool City Region secures £1.6 billion to improve connectivity and drive growth.

Ms Reeves said: "For every success story - and yes, there are many - there's potential that has been held back by uneven distribution." During her speech, she confirmed winter fuel payments would be expanded by the end of the year. Still, she conceded that some Whitehall departments would be "disappointed" by her spending review, which will be unveiled next Wednesday.

Keir Starmer told the Commons: "Today we're investing £15.6 billion in transport infrastructure of the North and of the Midlands. We're decisively turning the page on a failed economic model of low investment, and we're backing the talent and prospects of the whole country, and over coming weeks, we'll set out plans for further investment and renewal."