Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many members of staff of HS2 Ltd work on communications for that project.

HS2 is the largest infrastructure project in Europe. Once complete it will connect eight out of our ten biggest cities, increasing rail capacity on the current system and reducing journey times, while also creating thousands of jobs and acting as a catalyst for economic growth across the UK.

HS2 Ltd is the executive non-departmental public body established to develop and deliver the HS2 programme. The company is responsible for promotion, engagement and communication to those with an interest in the project.

The Community Engagement department at HS2 Ltd, who work on Phases 1 and 2a, has responsibility to build positive working relationships with residents and their elected representatives, local authorities and businesses along the line of route during planning and delivery of the project. It employs 32 staff. Community engagement staff who work on the proposed Phase 2b route, sit under the Phase 2 department, and employ 49 staff.

The Corporate Affairs department at HS2 Ltd exists to help the company build and maintain its reputation. It has responsibility for communications to audiences such as: the public, politicians, journalists, project stakeholders and internal staff. It employs 45 staff.

Other HS2 Ltd departments engage statutory stakeholders as part of their role in planning, developing and delivering the project. This includes, but is not restricted to, discussions with local authority planning and policy teams.

All figures as of 02 October 2017.