Labour slashes road safety scheme budget weeks after pledging to cut fatalities: 'Step back!'

But, according to new reports, it is expected to see its annual funding reduced from around £750,000 to £375,000 in the next financial year.

The move has raised eyebrows across the fleet industry, particularly as ministers recently unveiled bold plans to improve road safety by 2035.

For more than a decade, the programme has worked with employers to cut work-related road risk. It currently engages with about 435,000 businesses across the UK, offering guidance and practical tools to help keep drivers safe.

But road safety experts warned the funding cut would send the wrong signal at a critical time. One in three road deaths involves someone who was driving for work.

That stark statistic is at the heart of concerns that scaling back support could undermine efforts to reduce casualties.

Radius, described as the UK's leading fuel card provider, has spoken out about the expected reduction. The company said the safety challenges facing businesses have not disappeared – regardless of budget pressures.

Kerry Fawcett, of Radius, said: "While the anticipated funding cut to the Driving for Better Business programme creates uncertainty for fleets, the safety challenges it was created to address haven't gone away.

"With one in three road fatalities involving someone driving for work, businesses still need reliable, accessible tools that help drivers make safe, compliant decisions on the road."

Industry specialists explained how companies must not use the funding cut as a reason to ease off on road safety across the UK.

Instead, they argued employers should continue investing in driver training, vehicle technology and better route planning to protect staff.

Ms Fawcett added: "At Radius, we see firsthand how vital clear routing, real-time traffic insight and access to approved fuel and EV charging locations are for reducing risk.

"Even as national programmes face pressure, the industry can't afford to step back from fleet safety. Technology must play a central role in filling that gap, and we're committed to supporting fleets with practical tools that keep drivers protected and journeys efficient."

Radius pointed to its eroute app as one example of how technology can help. The app offers route planning, planned stops and optimisation tools designed to make journeys safer and more efficient, at no extra cost to users.

Driving for work remains one of the most dangerous activities many employees undertake. From delivery drivers to sales teams and engineers, millions of workers spend hours on the road every week.

Experts warned without proper systems in place – including risk assessments, driver training and smart route planning – the danger increases.

The Government's pledge to dramatically cut road deaths by 2035 as part of its Road Safety Strategy was welcomed by campaigners. However, critics argued that ambition must be matched by consistent funding and practical support.

With national schemes facing financial pressure, the responsibility may increasingly fall on individual businesses to plug the gap.

Fleet operators are now being urged to treat safety spending as essential, not optional. That means continuing to back driver support programmes, investing in up-to-date technology and ensuring staff have access to clear guidance when travelling for work.

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