Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the (a) projected end date is, (b) forecast spend in the financial year 2023-24 is, (c) initial planned whole life costs were and (d) delivery confidence assessment is of HS2 Phase 2b; and when each of those figures were last reviewed.

The Government set out schedule and cost updates for the HS2 Phase 2b Western Leg in its 6-monthly report on HS2 to Parliament in June. HS2 services between Crewe and Manchester are expected to begin between 2035 and 2041. The current cost estimate range for the Phase 2b Western Leg is £13bn-£19bn (2019 prices).

HS2 Ltd plans to spend £172m (current prices) in 2023/24 on the Phase 2b Western Leg. The project’s latest Delivery Confidence Assessment in Q4 2022/23 was Amber. This is reviewed quarterly in line with requirements for the Government’s Major Projects Portfolio.