Asked by: Lord Truscott (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the opportunity cost of HS2; and what plans they have to allow for further Parliamentary scrutiny should the official cost increase.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
The recently published Full Business Case sets out the rationale for why HS2 is the best transport option to deliver the Government’s strategic aims of levelling up, improved connectivity and increased capacity between our biggest economic regions. It builds on the Oakervee Review, which considered transport alternatives and concluded that HS2 remained the best option to meet these goals. The Government has committed to provide six-monthly reports to Parliament on progress which will allow scrutiny of any cost increases against the agreed funding envelope for Phase 1 and the contingency provided.
Asked by: Lord Truscott (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to further review the costs and benefits of HS2; and whether that project remains (1) on time, and (2) on budget.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Full Business Case for Phase One was approved in April this year which included a robust cost-benefit analysis. Ministers are updated monthly on progress through a Ministerial Task Force chaired by the Secretary of State for Transport and Parliament will receive the first of the regular 6-monthly progress reports later this year which will set out the latest cost and schedule position.
Asked by: Lord Truscott (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, following the success of New Zealand in dealing with COVID-19, what plans they have to emulate the measures taken in that country, particularly those in regard to the control of flights into the country.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Government’s approach is being kept under review as the pandemic develops. This may mean that measures and procedures change as we control the spread of, and understand more about, the virus. ?Any changes to our approach will be led by advice from the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) and the Chief Medical Officer. ?Protecting the health of the UK public will always come first.
Asked by: Lord Truscott (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they expect HS2 to be completed (1) on time, and (2) on budget.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
In 2019 the Government announced an independent review into HS2, led by Douglas Oakervee. Once the Government has fully considered the review’s findings, including whether and how to proceed with the project, further announcements will be made on any likely funding requirements and anticipated timescales for delivery.
Asked by: Lord Truscott (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what they estimate the total final cost of HS2 will be to the Exchequer.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
To ensure transparency around the project, we have provided our latest cost and schedule estimates for HS2 to the National Audit Office who reported on the programme last week. These estimates depend, among other things, on the scope of what, if anything, the Government decides to build and which risks come to pass. In August 2019 the Government commissioned the independent Oakervee Review to provide advice on whether and how to proceed with HS2, including a rigorous examination of costs and schedule. The Government will make a decision on HS2 shortly.
Asked by: Lord Truscott (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government when HS2 will be completed.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
To ensure transparency around the project, we have provided our latest schedule and cost estimates for HS2 to the National Audit Office who reported on the programme last week. These estimates depend, among other things, on the scope of what, if anything, the Government decides to build and which risks come to pass. In August 2019 the Government commissioned the independent Oakervee Review to provide advice on whether and how to proceed with HS2. The Government will make a decision shortly.
Asked by: Lord Truscott (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether HS2 Limited has revised any existing agreements with contractors.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
HS2 Ltd has managed a very large number of contracts in support of the delivery of a high speed railway. These contracts cover a wide supply base, dealing with a variety of activities. As with all projects, change is inevitable and it follows that changes will result in revisions to existing HS2 Ltd contracts.
Asked by: Lord Truscott (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government how much has been spent on HS2 to date; and how much they estimate the programme would cost to cancel immediately.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
As at 31st March 2019, £7.4bn (excluding construction VAT) had been spent on the HS2 rail project. In August 2019 the Government announced an independent review of HS2 led by Douglas Oakervee. The review was asked to consider, among other things, whether and how to proceed with the project. The Government will make a decision shortly.
Asked by: Lord Truscott (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have any plans to revise the proposed speed of HS2 trains.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
In August 2019 the Government commissioned the independent Oakervee Review to provide advice on whether and how to proceed with HS2. The Government will make a decision on HS2 shortly, and therefore no decision has been made to revise the proposed speed of HS2 trains.
Asked by: Lord Truscott (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have received any representations about prioritising HS3 over HS2.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
There is no either / or choice between HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR). Both projects have the potential to be transformative for the North. Whilst Transport for the North’s plans for NPR are at an earlier stage of development, they are being designed to complement HS2 and transform connectivity across the north of England.
We are currently consulting on proposals to include passive provision for two future junctions that would one day allow NPR trains to use the HS2 route into Manchester and vice versa. These proposals have been developed with Transport for the North, and, in the future, could allow a potential new route between Manchester and Liverpool that could also be used for services between London and Liverpool.