HS2 investment could face review ahead of autumn statement

‘When we face the economic problems we have, I’m sure some capital spending will be cut’ said Gove (Image: HS2)The news comes as Michael Gove suggested yesterday capital investment for the rail project will be re-examined.The Levelling Up Secretary said: “I am sure everything will be reviewed. You don’t want to cut long-term capital investment because it helps contribute to economic growth… But when we face the economic problems we have, I’m sure some capital spending will be cut.”Transport Secretary Mark Harper last week admitted to MPs the London to Birmingham HS2 leg is likely to overshoot its £40.3billion target and has used 28 per cent of money reserved for additional costs.Tory MP Greg Smith, whose Buckingham constituency contains a stretch of the line, said ditching the whole project would save £147billion.He added: “It needs to be put on the scrapheap so we can pay down the Covid debt.”