Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how (a) much money and (b) many hours have been spent by (i) High Speed Two Limited and (ii) his Department on (A) the design and (B) consultation on the proposed HS2 line to Leeds from the East Midlands Hub since 21 November 2021.

Preparatory work on the study envisaged in the IRP of how HS2 services could best reach Leeds has been undertaken using existing Department for Transport staff as part of their routine work. No consultation has been launched. We intend to publish the terms of reference for the Study soon.

HS2 Ltd has not undertaken, and no money and no hours have been spent on, any proactive work (design or consultation) on the section of high speed route to Leeds from the East Midlands Hub in the period in question.