Rachel Reeves has big plans for the UK’s future. Since stepping into her role as Chancellor, she’s been making tough decisions about which projects to move forward and which to cut. One of her first actions was to cancel a road tunnel near Stonehenge and an £800 million donation to a university’s supercomputer. But now, Reeves is ready to look ahead with optimism.

On October 30, Reeves will reveal her budget, and it’s expected to be filled with infrastructure projects that aim to boost the UK’s economy. These projects will focus on building new railways, improving water systems, and developing cleaner energy sources. Reeves believes that these improvements will help the UK grow and achieve its net-zero goals.

Here’s a closer look at the key projects she might focus on in her budget.

Lower Thames Crossing: A New Tunnel for the M25

The Lower Thames Crossing is a tunnel planned to go under the Thames River, east of London. This tunnel will serve as a much-needed relief road for the busy M25 motorway, which circles the capital. National Highways, the agency responsible for building roads in England, has been working on this project for years.

Although the official price tag is £9 billion, rising costs due to inflation mean that the final bill could be even higher. To make this project more affordable, Reeves is considering bringing in private investors. These investors would help fund the tunnel in exchange for a share of the toll money collected from drivers.

The project will be managed by the newly formed National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (Nista), which was created to oversee major works like this one.

HS2 to Euston: Reviving the High-Speed Rail Project

HS2 is a high-speed rail project that was originally supposed to connect London to Manchester. However, the previous government cancelled the second phase of the project, which would have extended the line from Birmingham to Manchester. In response, northern leaders have banded together to propose an alternative—a project some are calling “HS2 lite.”

Reeves has been looking into extending the HS2 line from Old Oak Common in west London to Euston, its original planned destination. This idea has gained a lot of support recently and is expected to feature heavily in the new budget.

Northern Powerhouse Rail: Connecting the North

Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) is a project that aims to connect cities across the north of England, including Sheffield, Hull, and Bradford. The total cost of the project is estimated at £30.6 billion. However, Reeves may have to make some tough decisions about which parts of the project to fund and which to cut due to budget constraints.

One of the key parts of the project involves upgrading Leeds station to handle the growing demand for rail services. Reeves is also being asked to fund a new mass-transit system for West Yorkshire, which could transform transport across the region.

Restoring Old Railway Lines: Bringing Back Beeching’s Cuts

Back in the 1960s, Dr. Richard Beeching closed down many railway stations and lines across the UK. In 2019, Boris Johnson promised £500 million to restore some of these lines. So far, only a few lines have been reopened, and many more are still being developed.

Out of the 23 projects that have received some funding, most are expected to face delays or even be cancelled under Reeves’ budget. However, there is still hope for a few to move forward.

Reservoirs: Tackling Water Shortages

Thames Water, the company responsible for supplying water to much of the south-east of England, has proposed building a new reservoir near Oxford. This reservoir would help manage water supplies in the face of climate change and create over 900 jobs.

Local campaigners are concerned about the reservoir’s size and potential dangers, but the project could still move forward if Thames Water gets permission to raise water bills to pay for it. With Thames Water currently facing financial difficulties, Reeves may consider a national scheme to address the UK’s water issues, particularly the problem of sewage overspills.

Fixing Crumbling Schools

Schools in the UK are in desperate need of repairs, with many buildings in poor condition. The Department for Education (DfE) had a budget of £6.3 billion for school repairs last year, but only £5.3 billion was spent. This left £1 billion unspent, which could have gone towards fixing crumbling buildings.

Reeves could decide to redistribute this money, giving each school an average of £36,000 to spend on urgent repairs. However, there’s also a chance the Treasury might take back the unspent funds, leaving schools to compete for cash in the next budget review.

Hospitals in Need of a Rebuild

West Suffolk hospital in Bury St Edmunds was one of 40 hospitals slated for rebuilding under the previous Conservative government. However, the project was paused when Reeves took office. Local Labour MP Peter Prinsley, who is also a doctor, has been campaigning to save the hospital rebuild.

While there’s a chance West Suffolk hospital will be saved, many other hospitals around the country are likely to face delays in their rebuilding plans.

Low-Carbon Energy: Powering the Future

The UK government is planning to invest heavily in low-carbon energy projects, including renewable energy sources and improvements to the country’s power grids. The goal is to build a clean energy future for Britain, with billions of pounds in investment expected over the next few years.

One of the biggest projects in the works is Sizewell C, a nuclear power plant in Suffolk. The UK government is expected to take a 20% stake in the project, alongside the French company EDF. Ministers are also looking for private investors to cover the remaining costs.

A Budget to Build the Future

Rachel Reeves’ upcoming budget is set to focus on big infrastructure projects that will help grow the UK’s economy, create jobs, and address the challenges of climate change. While some projects may face delays or cutbacks, others could be fast-tracked, providing a glimpse of a more connected, energy-efficient, and resilient future for the UK.