Since publication Richard Foord has now said the Treasury has confirmed to him that funding would be allocated to the two projects.

However, some other local politicians suggested more caution, though, given funding had been pledged for the project before, and then the scheme had been shelved due the change in government after the 2024 general election. – see separate post.

Bradley Gerrard www.midweekherald.co.uk 

A Devon MP has criticised the government’s spending review’s strategy which he describes as “unacceptably” failing to invest properly in the westcountry.

Richard Foord, the Liberal Democrat member for Honiton and Sidmouth, said the “vast majority” of funding is targeted at the north of England, the Midlands, and London.

Neither Devon nor the south west are mentioned in initial government documents released following the announcement on Wednesday.

“The westcountry has missed out on essential investment yet again,” Mr Foord said.

“Devon wasn’t even mentioned in the spending review, and this is particularly galling given the 15 per cent cut to the rural affairs budget that will hit farmers and nature-friendly farming schemes.

“It will have devastating implications for our environment, for food security and for our rural economy.”

Spending review papers show that the administrative budget for the Department for Food and Rural Affairs, known as Defra, will fall from just over £1 billion this financial year to £962 million by 2029/30.

The government claims its funding settlement shows its “steadfast commitment to farming, food security, and nature’s recovery”.

“The government will invest more than £2.7 billion per year in sustainable farming and nature recovery from 2026-27 until 2028-29,” the documents said.

“Farmers will benefit from an average of £2.3 billion through the Farming and Countryside Programme and up to £400 million from additional nature schemes.”

Mr Foord said he is also “disappointed that the government is doing next to nothing” to resolve the crises in special educational needs and social care.