Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has acknowledged the rising financial burden on motorists, stating that it is “extremely hard” for people on modest incomes to afford driving. He vowed to “bear down” on costs associated with motoring, which he described as a “lifeline” for many.
His comments come as the Government unveils new plans requiring local councils to prove they are actively tackling potholes or risk losing funding for road repairs.
Tackling the rising cost of motoring
Speaking to The Sun during a visit to a garage in Cambridge, Sir Keir was questioned about the growing expenses faced by drivers, including soaring insurance premiums and parking fees.
He said:
“I think we’ve got to look at all of these issues, because whether it’s insurance, whether it’s parking, whether it’s a number of other measures, it is extremely hard and difficult to be a motorist on a modest income these days.”
While acknowledging that many costs are set by private companies, the Prime Minister stressed that the Government must play a role in addressing the affordability crisis for drivers.
“We need to drive down the cost of motoring, because that’s a lifeline for so many people,” he added.
When asked whether making motoring more affordable was a priority, Sir Keir gave a clear answer:
“Yeah, we need to bring the price down, the cost down.”
Councils face funding cuts if potholes aren’t fixed
Alongside tackling motoring costs, the Government has announced a crackdown on poorly maintained roads, with local councils at risk of losing road repair funding if they fail to address potholes effectively.
Sir Keir stressed the need for greater accountability, stating that the lack of transparency around pothole repairs has become a major concern for the public.
“The first thing we need to do is to get a bit of accountability into it, to know which councils are doing what, where.”
He emphasised the need for better data collection, adding:
“How many times are they filling in holes so we can get a bit of data on that, which we haven’t got?”
The announcement follows mounting frustration from drivers, who often find themselves footing the bill for vehicle damage caused by potholes.
Public frustration over road conditions
During his visit, the Prime Minister spoke with two members of the public who have suffered damage to their vehicles due to potholes.
One motorist told Sir Keir that local authority budgets for road repairs were “the wrong way around”, highlighting concerns that funds are not being spent efficiently.
The issue of poor road conditions has become a growing political headache, with drivers and transport groups demanding urgent action.
Pressure on the Government to act
The rising cost of motoring has become a major issue for millions of Britons, with insurance premiums, parking fees, and fuel prices all increasing in recent years.
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According to the Association of British Insurers (ABI), the average car insurance premium has risen by nearly 50% in the past two years, putting additional pressure on struggling households.
Meanwhile, local authorities have faced criticism for their slow response to road maintenance, with some councils accused of prioritising short-term patchwork repairs over long-term resurfacing projects.
With a general election looming, Sir Keir’s Government faces growing calls to take decisive action on motoring costs and road infrastructure.
A balancing act for Labour
While the Labour Government has pledged to improve public transport and support greener alternatives, it is also aware of the financial strain on car owners, particularly those living in rural areas or working in jobs that require driving.
The challenge for Sir Keir Starmer will be to balance environmental commitments with policies that ensure driving remains affordable for those who depend on it.
As the debate over motoring costs continues, motorists across the country will be watching closely to see whether the Government’s promises translate into meaningful relief for drivers on modest incomes.
