Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what private sector funding options are available to funding the capital costs of HS2, given the scale of the project and the uncertainty of its cost estimates.

There are no uncertainties around the HS2 programme’s cost estimates. The cost estimates are subject to rigorous assurance processes, including external assurance and scrutiny prior to each major decision being taken on the programme. We are determined that the HS2 programme will be delivered within the £55.7bn Funding Envelope.

As the project develops, opportunities may arise whereby there could be potential to secure private sector investment in railway infrastructure, rolling stock or station developments with the aim to reduce the cost to the taxpayer. However, currently our assumption remains that the funding will be provided in large part by central Government.