HS2: Delay

Baroness McIntosh of Pickering Excerpts

Friday 10th March 2023 Lords Chamber

[Lord Davies of Gower (Con)]

No, I do not accept that. I can only repeat that our ambition remains for the first high-speed services to run between Old Oak Common in west London and Birmingham Curzon Street by 2033. We are committed to it. I repeat that we find ourselves in an economic climate that perhaps will cause delay, and the Government have taken a very pragmatic view.

[Baroness McIntosh of Pickering (Con)]

My Lords, I echo the disappointment that HS2 is not going to reach the north of England any time soon. I understand that the Government committed in the Statement to a further £100 million in the remaining spending period—I do not know how long that covers. What projects in the north will benefit from that £100 million? If my noble friend is not able to tell us today, can he write to me?

[Lord Davies of Gower (Con)]

I am not in possession of that information. I will ensure that my noble friend gets an answer to her question. There will be an update in May, and it is quite possible that the answer will be contained in that.