PM defends pothole plan after Devon council leader criticism

Devon County Council leader John Hart said the authority had a growing pothole problem

The Prime Minister has promised more cash for potholes after the Tory leader of a Devon council criticised current funding as a "drop in the ocean".

Speaking to BBC Radio Devon, Mr Sunak said the county would receive millions in extra funding to fix potholes in the next financial year.

But Devon County Council leader John Hart said the problem was growing.

He said: "We've got a backlog that's getting bigger and bigger because we cannot cope with what we've got."

On the second day of his visit to Devon and Cornwall, Mr Sunak said Devon would receive more money to fix potholes from the government's savings on HS2.

"A chunk of that money has gone on highway maintenance, road resurfacing, pothole funds," he said.

"Devon is actually going to get more funding starting this forthcoming financial year as a result of that HS2 decision to go into fixing potholes."

The PM also brushed off criticism of his dental plan during a visit to Devon and Cornwall

'We cannot cope'

Mr Hart said "the government knows they have a problem" with potholes.

"They've given us an extra £6.6m this year but that is a drop in the ocean," he said.

"Last year they gave us £9.5m and, I hate to say it, but £7m of that went in inflation.

"We've got a backlog that's getting bigger because we cannot cope with what we've got."

Responding, Mr Sunak said: "The numbers I've got show that it's growing next year - and that's why we have to make priorities and decisions right.

"Obviously, I think everyone knows there isn't a bottomless pit for these things."

'Important' region

The PM also brushed off criticism of his dental plan from the British Dental Association, saying: "Everyone will have their views.

"I'm confident that it will make a difference.

"It's a significant amount of money. It's 2.5m appointments which will take us back to pre-Covid levels."

He added that dentistry was a "big priority" for the South West and he said the region would be "important" at the next general election.

Rishi Sunak said the South West would be "important" at the next general election