High Speed Rail (Preparation) Bill

Debate between Louise Ellman and Jim Cunningham

Thursday 31st October 2013 Commons Chamber

[Mrs Ellman]

The right hon. Lady has drawn attention to the importance of connectivity and the importance of using the opportunities offered by high-speed rail to bring benefit to areas that are not on the line. That is an essential component. In the regions, a great deal of work has been done to assess what the benefit might be. Centro estimates that there will be an additional 22,000 jobs in the west midlands, while the Core Cities Group expects an additional 400,000.

[Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South) (Lab)]

My hon. Friend speaks of the economic benefits for the midlands. Cities such as Coventry will certainly not benefit from this investment; indeed, the opposite will be the case.