Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

High Speed 2

Thursday 14 December 2023 · 5 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The total spent on land and property assets for HS2 phase 2 is 573 million as of October 2023.
  • The government disputes the claim that the sale of HS2 land will cost taxpayers 100 million.
  • HS2 trains are designed to run efficiently across existing and new infrastructure, improving journey times.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Sarah Edwards Lab Tamworth
Transport
Context

A total of £573 million had been spent acquiring land for HS2 phase 2 as of October 2023. The question concerns the net cost to the public purse from land purchases and planned sales.

Question

What estimate has he made of the net cost to the public purse of land purchased and planned for sale in connection with HS2 phase 2?

Answer from Huw Merriman

As of October 2023, a total of £573 million had been spent acquiring land and property assets on phase 2. That includes all property asset types such as plots of land, farmland, farms, commercial property and domestic property. Any land and property asset that is no longer required will be sold, and a programme is being developed to do that.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide an estimate of the net cost to the public purse

How: Developing A Programme To Sell Land

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Q2 Andrew Gwynne Ind Gorton and Denton
Transport
Context

High-Speed Rail Group data suggests the Government's fire sale of land on HS2 will cost taxpayers £100 million. The questioner mentions lack of local rail improvements for his constituency.

Question

Data from High-Speed Rail Group indicates that the Government's fire sale of HS2 land in Birmingham-Manchester stretch will cost taxpayers £100 million, and his constituency is not set to benefit from local rail improvements due to a weekly train service. Why?

Answer from Huw Merriman

I am glad the hon. Gentleman mentioned that report, because it is completely wrong. For a start, it states that £205 million has been spent on land and property, which is wrong—it is a different figure.

Not addressed: Did not address local rail improvements for the constituency

How: Report Being Incorrect

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Q3 Sarah Edwards Lab Tamworth
Transport
Context

HS2 trains are designed for new tracks, potentially resulting in slower speeds and reduced capacity on existing lines. The questioner asks about the impact on her constituents.

Question

As HS2 trains are designed for new tracks rather than current Victorian-era infrastructure, surely this will result in slower trains and reduced services for constituents. Can he explain how decreased capacity across the network, slower trains and fewer services will benefit constituents?

Answer from Huw Merriman

Again, that is not the case at all. HS2 trains will be built to run across the network they will travel on. On parts of the west coast main line where tilting trains go faster, HS2 trains will also be able to go at a faster speed. The journey time to Manchester will come down from two hours and 12 minutes to one hour and 40 minutes, leading to a faster service for all.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide details on decreased capacity or fewer services

How: Hs2 Trains Will Be Able To Run At High Speeds

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Q4 Jack Brereton Con
Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

There are concerns about the time taken to return land to property owners in Staffordshire. The questioner seeks urgent action.

Question

Given the impact on many land and property owners in Staffordshire, he asks for urgent engagement to ensure that affected farmers can use their land as soon as possible.

Answer from Huw Merriman

I ask my hon. Friend for a little patience, it will take time to develop a programme to deliver value for money and avoid disrupting local property markets. We will engage with affected communities throughout the process.

Not addressed: Did not provide assurance of urgent land return

How: Need For Patience

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Q5 Simon Lightwood Labour (Co-op) Wakefield and Rothwell
Economy Transport
Context

There is concern over the sale of HS2 land at a loss due to previous expenditure. The questioner asks about safeguards for protecting taxpayers' money.

Question

He questions the ill-judged fire sale of HS2 land costing tens of millions and asks what safeguards will be put in place to protect taxpayers' money and the land.

Answer from Huw Merriman

There will be a very careful analysis of property to be released. The Crichel Down rules require tests to be met before returning property at market value, ensuring proper handling.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not address ill-judged fire sale concerns

How: Careful Analysis And Tests

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