Spending Review: Fixing Services, Transport, and Housing

The Government announced the Spending Review, setting out a long-term plan to fix our public services, improve infrastructure, and make the country more secure.

Health

Health is top priority, with record levels of investment in our NHS:

• Day-to-day spending will increase by 3% annually, delivering an extra £29 billion to the daily running of the NHS.

• £4 billion a year will go into fixing broken and outdated buildings and upgrading equipment.

• Cornwall will see direct benefits, including £350 million for the new Women’s and Children’s Unit at Treliske, alongside hospital upgrades and new X-ray machines.

• The NHS technology budget is increasing by 50%.

• More GP training places will be created.

• Mental health support teams will be rolled out in every school.

  
  

This investment is already working. Since July 2024, 3.6 million additional NHS appointments have been delivered, and waiting lists are finally dipping in the right direction, now lower than they have been in two years. In Cornwall they are down by 5% at RCHT and a 43% at CPFT.

Education & Skills

Education and skills are central to this plan:

• £2.4 billion per year will go into the School Rebuilding Programme.

• Free school meals will also be expanded to pupils in Cornwall from 2026.

• More funding is being provided for school-based nurseries and children’s social care.

• A record £1.2 billion annually will support over a million young people into training. Cornwall is already set to receive £3 million to fund construction programmes and Kickstart Courses, helping more young people access apprenticeships.

  
  

Transport

Transport improvements will be driven by a fourfold increase in Local Transport Grants, bringing £24.4 million to the region. The £3 bus fare cap will also be kept in place for at least another two years.

Housing

Housing, one of Cornwall’s most pressing challenges, will have a £39 billion national investment, the largest in a generation for social and affordable housing.

I am determined that a fair share of this goes to Cornwall, with support for developments like Langarth and Pydar in Truro, where infrastructure will come first and homes will be built to be properly affordable for local people. Angela Rayner wants a new generation of council housing to be her legacy - I want to help her make that happen in Cornwall.

Defence

The Defence budget will rise to 2.6% of GDP by 2027. With threats increasing and years of underinvestment, this is a vital step. Falmouth Docks, Culdrose and St Mawgan should benefit from increased defence spending.

Net Zero

The Spending Review demonstrated the government's commitment to energy independence and net zero:

• Great British Energy, a new publicly owned company, will receive £8.3 billion to invest.

• Cornwall is well positioned to lead in offshore wind, geothermal power, and critical minerals like tin and lithium — already backed by the National Wealth Fund in projects such as South Crofty and Cornish Lithium.

• £13.2 billion will go towards the Warm Homes Plan, helping families cut energy bills.

  
  

Nature & Farmers

I am pleased to see £7 billion pledged for nature restoration, a boost to flood defences, and a 150% increase in support for farmers through the Environmental Land Management Schemes.