Rishi Sunak and Jeremy Hunt considering scrapping Manchester leg of HS2 as costs spiral

Home Office minister confirms review of HS2 spending

Rishi Sunak and Jeremy Hunt are currently evaluating the expenditure of billions of taxpayer pounds on HS2, as concerns grow over escalating costs, according to confirmation from Home Office minister Chris Philp. The review is looking into whether the Manchester leg of the controversial rail line should be scrapped in order to reduce expenses. Despite this, Philp insisted that residents of Manchester are not being treated as second-class citizens and that the government remains dedicated to levelling up the UK.

Spending review aiming to control costs of HS2

No final decisions have been made regarding the remaining phases of HS2, but the Chancellor and the Prime Minister are actively exploring measures to manage costs, said Philp. The expenses associated with HS2 have drastically increased since its initial approval in 2012, with the anticipated £32.7 billion price tag surging to over £100 billion when accounting for inflation.

Plans for project scaling back or delays postponed until November

Potential plans to reduce the scope or duration of the HS2 project will not be announced until November in response to significant backlash. The Prime Minister condemned the ongoing speculation surrounding the mishandled high-speed line and stated that any changes will be revealed as part of the Autumn Statement in November, rather than on the eve of the Tory conference in Manchester.

Debate arises over future of HS2

For the first time, the government acknowledged that there is a live "debate" regarding the future of HS2, with the possibility of postponing or removing the Birmingham to Manchester section. While many former Prime Ministers, Chancellors, and business leaders have called for the project to continue to Manchester, economic think tank boss Paul Johnson expressed his dismay over HS2, claiming that the decision to undertake the project in the first place was a mistake.

Concerns over HS2's impact on local transport in the North

Former Cabinet Minister Esther McVey highlighted the financial strain imposed by HS2 on local transport in the North and commended the Prime Minister for examining the escalating costs. She argued that the project, originally feasible at £37 billion, is no longer viable at over £120 billion, particularly given the changes brought about by the lockdown. McVey suggested that the shift towards virtual meetings may reduce the necessity for high-speed rail travel.