Former Prime Minister Not Happy Over Rishi Sunak Plans To Scrap HS2
Rishi Sunak has divided the north and the south again with potential plans to scrap the Birmingham to Manchester HS2 route
In a recent development, there are reports suggesting that the UK government is considering axing the High-Speed 2 (HS2) leg connecting Birmingham to Manchester.
This news has sparked controversy and criticism, with former Conservative Prime Ministers Boris Johnson and David Cameron expressing their concerns
The HS2 project is a long-awaited rail initiative aimed at linking London, the Midlands, and the North of England. However, it has been plagued by delays and rising costs.
The government has already made adjustments to the project, including pausing certain parts and even scrapping sections in the north. Now, there are reports that the Manchester leg of HS2 could be axed, raising questions about the government’s commitment to levelling up the country.
Former Prime Ministers Boris Johnson and David Cameron have both expressed their concerns about the potential scrapping of the Manchester leg of HS2.
Boris Johnson labelled the suggestions as “desperate” and “Treasury-driven nonsense.” He urged Chancellor Rishi Sunak to fulfil the levelling-up pledge made by the Conservatives in 2019. David Cameron privately raised significant concerns about the potential alterations to the high-speed rail line, considering it a central part of levelling up and a totemic Conservative pledge.
One of the key factors driving the proposed changes to HS2 is the mounting costs associated with the project. The budget for HS2 was initially set at £55.7 billion in 2015, but reports suggest that the bill has now surpassed £100 billion due to inflation and other factors.
In an effort to curb costs, the government is considering curtailing the project, potentially saving £35 billion. However, critics argue that these cost-cutting measures may not yield significant short-term savings and could hinder the case for tax cuts.
The proposed scrapping of the Manchester leg of HS2 has raised concerns about the government’s commitment to the Northern Powerhouse and levelling up the country.
The Northern Powerhouse initiative aims to rebalance economic growth and opportunities by investing in infrastructure and promoting business development in the North of England. The potential cancellation of the Manchester leg could undermine these efforts and hinder the government’s goal of bridging the North-South divide.
The proposed changes to HS2 have sparked political and economic implications. Critics argue that the cancellation of the Manchester leg would be a blow to the North of England, potentially stifling economic growth and investment in the region.
It could also lead to a loss of confidence in the government’s commitment to infrastructure projects and levelling up the country. Furthermore, it may strain relationships between the government and local authorities in the affected regions.
The Labour Party has expressed its commitment to building HS2 in full, but party leader Sir Keir Starmer has been cautious in making concrete promises. While he supports the project, he blames the government for introducing uncertainty by considering cost-cutting measures.
Labour sources have indicated that they do not want to go further than the government in promising to complete the project, as it may require additional funding.
As the debate over the future of the Manchester leg of HS2 continues, it remains to be seen whether the government will proceed with the proposed changes. The decision will undoubtedly have far-reaching consequences for the Northern Powerhouse, levelling up efforts, and infrastructure development in the UK.
Critics argue that axing the Manchester leg would be a setback, while proponents of cost-cutting measures believe it is necessary to address budget concerns. The future of HS2 hangs in the balance, and the government’s decision will shape the trajectory of the UK’s infrastructure plans.
