Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they intend to publish an up-to-date cost estimate and business case for HS2 Phase 1; and whether they will table a motion for approval of each in both Houses of Parliament before permanent works begin.

The Full Business Case for Phase One will be published later in 2019 and will include an assessment of the latest estimates of cost, schedule and benefits. Publication of the Full Business Case will support authorisation of Notice to Proceed for Phase One which is when HS2 Ltd instructs its main works civil contractors to commence construction of the railway.

The Government already has the statutory powers to build HS2 Phase One. Authorisation of Notice to Proceed is a commercial and administrative process conducted between the Government, HS2 Ltd and its main works civil contractors, and does not therefore require a motion of parliamentary approval.