Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the letter of 20 March 2019 from the Prime Minister to Midland Connect, for what reason potential changes are being proposed to phase 2b of the High Speed Two route.

As part of the process to prepare the legislation for Phase 2b we intend to consult on aspects of the HS2 Phase 2b plans this year to inform our plans. This work is ongoing and as changes are ready, they will be published in consultations where appropriate, during the course of the year.