Press Story

Commenting on the government's announcement on its preferred route for HS2's phase two, Ed Cox, Director of IPPR North, said:

"HS2 is an important piece of the puzzle in connecting the North and rebalancing the economy, but it must go hand-in-hand with plans to connect the North’s cities via “HS3".

"And it’s both - not either-or.

"Government spending on infrastructure has been cut by a quarter since 2010 and is less than 2% of GDP – half that of most other developed nations.

"Now more than ever, the North needs the catch-up cash to prosper post-Brexit and the Autumn Statement presents a great opportunity for the Chancellor to put his money where his mouth is.”

ends

Contact:

Ash Singleton, IPPR North, 07887 422 789

For broadcast bids, contact Ed Cox directly on 07961 979 262.

Notes:

Details of the government's preferred route for 'phase two' of HS2 (Crewe-Manchester and West Midlands-Leeds) are available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/hs2-route-to-the-east-midlands-leeds-and-manchester-set-out-by-the-government