Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to set up an independent inquiry to review HS2 Phase 1, to either (1) reduce costs, or (2) investigate options for integrating HS2 Phase 1 into the existing Network Rail system.

Following the Prime Minister’s Network North announcement and the changes to the scope of the HS2 programme, HS2 Ltd is working closely with the department to identify further cost reduction options. Officials will continue to assess opportunities to maximise the benefits of the scheme and its integration with the wider rail network.  As set out in point 26 of the Network North: Transforming British Transport, we are making changes quickly and decisively so the remainder of HS2 is delivered as cost effectively as possible.