Raab denies levelling up promise is being broken as HS2 Leeds leg scrapped

18 November 2021, 09:07 | Updated: 18 November 2021, 11:39

Dominic Raab quizzed on HS2

By Sophie Barnett

The Deputy Prime Minister has denied that promises to "level up" the country are being broken by the Government, despite the scrapping of the eastern leg of HS2.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

A new rail line connecting Leeds with Manchester has been ditched this morning, along with the eastern leg of HS2 - despite government promises to deliver both.

Speaking to Nick Ferrari on LBC ahead of the announcement, Dominic Raab said the £96bn of investment will help "link up" towns and cities, improving interconnectivity in the north and the midlands.

However, Nick voiced concerns of those up in the north, who fear not enough money is going elsewhere.

Read more: HS2 protesters dig secret 100ft tunnel under London park

Read more: Family's joy as HS2 route which threatened their home is paused

Johnson says HS2 will be ‘crucial’ for decades

"Some people are saying that most of the tens of billions of pounds are being spent on HS2, not enough is going elsewhere and it's not 'levelling up' in the north?" Nick asked the secretary of state.

"I don't agree with that," said the Deputy Prime Minister.

"It's £96bn of investment, it will link not just the rest of the country with the midlands and the north, but it will also critically be focussed on the interconnectivity between the towns, the cities of those regions which is what we know many of the small businesses and many of their passengers, the commuters, want to see."

The Government has confirmed that £96bn will go towards rail upgrades, though local leaders in the north of England say that's not good enough.

The Department for Transport says the new plan will deliver faster journey times up to 10 years sooner.

It comes as businesses reacted angrily to reports the East Midlands-Leeds HS2 high-speed line would not be built.

HS2 was originally meant to connect London with the city centres of Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds, however, recent reports suggest the Leeds leg is due to be ditched.

The Department for Transport (DfT) says its Integrated Rail Plan (IRP) will improve journey times and capacity "from London and across the Pennines" and "strengthen connections between major cities in the North and Midlands".

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps will unveil the plans this morning.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

The NHS logo.

NHS launches new drive to find more people with deadly pancreatic cancer

Doctor injecting collagen into young womans lip

Warning over 'Wild West' treatments as procedures such as lip injections and butt lifts 'offered in public toilets'

Pamela Anderson arrives on the red carpet at the 2025 Met Gala

Pamela Anderson says filters and AI being used on photos has led to people becoming 'boring-looking'

Donald Trump has called for the "unconditional surrender" of Iran

Trump calls for 'unconditional surrender' from Iran - as US President 'considering US strike on Iran'

A man walks past empty shelves in a branch of the Co-op in Manchester following the major cyber attack.

Major UK supermarket offering 25% off £40 shops in ‘thank you’ to members after cyber attack

Cyclists are sending a record amount of video footage to police after being overtaken too closely by motorists, new figures show.

Cyclists sending record number of videos to police after being overtaken too closely by drivers, figures show

Exclusive
Suspended chief constable Nick Adderley

Disgraced police chief Nick Adderley slammed for ‘unacceptable’ role in Harry Dunn case

Grenfell tower cover in white tarpaulin

Government pressed over why Grenfell cladding ‘crooks’ not behind bars

Donald Trump is said to be considering joining Israel in striking Iran

Trump 'considering US strike on Iran' - hours after claiming to know supreme leader's location

The biggest lottery prize the UK has seen could still be won after Tuesday’s EuroMillions draw had no winners.

EuroMillions record £208 million jackpot won by single ticket holder

Referee David Coote has been sacked.

Sacked Premier League referee David Coote charged by FA over ‘German c***’ Jurgen Klopp comments

Exclusive
Relatives of the Palestinians killed in Israeli attack, mourn as they carry the bodies to Nasser hospital for funeral procedures in Khan Yunis

Israeli Ambassador denies IDF is 'targeting civilians' as medics say 59 Palestinians killed by IDF at aid distribution centre

The man given a restraining order for stalking British number one Emma Raducanu has been caught trying to obtain tickets for this summer’s Wimbledon.

Emma Raducanu stalker caught trying to obtain Wimbledon tickets after tennis star was left 'shaken' by 'fixated' man

Eight-month-old Mabli had just said a final goodbye to her paternal grandmother Betty Hall, who was receiving end-of-life care at the Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest.

Driver who ran over and killed eight-month-old baby in pram has sentence cut

Exclusive
UK 'not going to be involved' in 'protecting' Israel during Iran conflict, Israeli ambassador confirms

UK 'not going to be involved' in 'protecting' Israel during Iran conflict, Israeli ambassador tells LBC

Abortion rights actvists gather outside the parliament in support of decriminalisation.

MPs vote to decriminalise abortion in England and Wales in historic Commons vote