June 14th, 2025.



James MacCleary MP has criticised the Chancellor's Spending Review as a slap in the face for his constituents, accusing the Chancellor of completely ignoring the South East of England.

The Lewes constituency MP noted that there was not one mention of the South East or Sussex in the Chancellor’s speech. He said the omission highlighted a continued pattern of neglect of our region.

He pointed to the continued lack of funding for the A259, a major route along the south coast. Despite repeated calls from local communities, businesses and councils for long-overdue improvements to reduce congestion and improve safety, the Spending Review made no reference to the road.

MacCleary also expressed concern over the lack of detail in plans for breakfast clubs. While funding was mentioned, no clarity was offered on nutritional standards or teacher and staff support.

James MacCleary, Liberal Democrat MP for the Lewes constituency, said: “The Chancellor’s statement on the Spending Review is a slap in the face for my constituents. The South East of England has been completely ignored in what was announced.

“It was as if children in our area who need better schools, patients who need better hospitals, the sewage crisis in our rivers, and our choked roads and inefficient railways don’t matter, simply because they're in the South East of England.

“The A259 is a vital transport route for residents in my area, but there was no mention of the funding that the council bid for to upgrade the road. People are fed up with being stuck in traffic while ministers throw money at roads elsewhere.

“I am a strong supporter of breakfast clubs in schools, but if they are to work, they need proper investment, not just in food, but in the staff who make them happen. We can’t serve up budget toast and call it levelling up.

“I was particularly frustrated by the Chancellor’s references to investing in social housing elsewhere while I have residents dealing with some of the highest house prices and rent in the country.

“This is yet another example of the South East being lazily lumped in with London, as if we're the same area. People in our towns and villages can’t get to work because our roads don’t work properly and our railways can’t be relied upon. And yet, according to the Chancellor, we don’t even deserve a mention.”