Recommendations & Conclusions
22 items
2
Recommendation
Tenth Report - HS2 and Euston
Accepted
Costs have continued to escalate and the Department and HS2 Ltd do not know how much the programme will now cost. This Committee has repeatedly raised concerns about the Department’s and HS2 Ltd’s management of costs. But, despite our warnings and recommendations, costs have continued to rise. The Department’s estimate …
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Costs have continued to escalate and the Department and HS2 Ltd do not know how much the programme will now cost. This Committee has repeatedly raised concerns about the Department’s and HS2 Ltd’s management of costs. But, despite our warnings and recommendations, costs have continued to rise. The Department’s estimate of how much it will cost to complete Phase 1 is now £45 billion to £54 billion (in 2019 prices), above a budget of £44.6 billion that had been reset only three years previously in 2020. HS2 Ltd is estimating an even higher range, of from £49 billion to £57 billion (also in 2019 prices). HS2 Ltd estimates that inflation since 2019 will add a further £8 billion to £10 billion to the cost. HS2 Ltd has not been able to constrain costs in its main works civils contracts, despite this being an area we flagged for attention in spring 2020. In our view there has been insufficient senior level focus on cost control before; but HS2 Ltd says it is now implementing changes to increase its focus on cost control, for example through new senior roles and better management information. The Department has also set out its intention to bear down on the costs of Phase 1, help HS2 Ltd to change its culture on cost control, and strengthen its own governance and control of the programme with increased oversight and reduced delegation. 6 HS2 and Euston Recommendation 2: The Department and HS2 Ltd should set out in its next six- monthly update: • Progress in recruitment of Executive and Non-Executive Board roles at HS2 Ltd. • How they are going to ensure that effective cost controls, oversight, transparency, design, and contracting are put in place so that cost overruns and delays which have been a constant problem throughout the whole HS2 project will now be brought under acceptable and properly accountable control. • Progress in reviewing existing contracts to ensure that contractors are now incentivised to minimise costs.
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Government response AI summary
The government agrees and states that recruitment for key board and executive roles at HS2 Ltd commenced in early 2024. It reiterates commitments to bear down on costs, embed cost control, reinforce leadership, and strengthen governance with a plan developed for implementation, with updates to …
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HM Treasury
3
Recommendation
Tenth Report - HS2 and Euston
Accepted
The Department and HS2 Ltd do not yet know what the impact of the decision to cancel Phase 2 will be on the HS2 programme and how HS2 Ltd will need to adapt so it can be successfully delivered. HS2 Ltd and the Department need to work through in detail …
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The Department and HS2 Ltd do not yet know what the impact of the decision to cancel Phase 2 will be on the HS2 programme and how HS2 Ltd will need to adapt so it can be successfully delivered. HS2 Ltd and the Department need to work through in detail how they will close-down work on the cancelled sections of HS2. The Department does not yet understand how the high-speed trains will operate as part of the rail network or how the HS2 line will connect to the West Coast Mainline to maximise benefits from Phase 1. For example, trains designed for the high-speed line will likely be slower when on the West Coast Mainline compared to the existing tilting rolling stock as they will not be able to travel on the older track infrastructure at the speeds they were designed for. It will also need to identify ways to resolve impacts on other projects, such as Northern Powerhouse Rail which will need a new revised scope. HS2 Ltd acknowledges that it needs to think about the capabilities the organisation needs to complete the tasks ahead. HS2 Ltd says, however, that although it has flexibility in the pay it can offer, competitors can offer much higher salaries still, impacting on its recruitment and retention. Recommendation 3: The Department and HS2 Ltd should set out in its next six- monthly update: • Progress in establishing what it needs to do to amend Phase 1 and manage the closedown of the other phases. • The work HS2 Ltd has done in re-establishing the organisation to deliver the revised programme, including identifying the skills and capability it requires.
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Government response AI summary
The government agrees that the HS2 Ltd Executive Chair is implementing a comprehensive change programme to adapt the organisation and ensure the right skills and capability are in place for the revised programme. The department will provide an update on this progress in its next …
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HM Treasury
5
Conclusion
Tenth Report - HS2 and Euston
Accepted
The Department and HS2 Ltd do not yet know when they will dispose of land and property no longer needed and how they will balance different interests. The Department has spent over £600 million on land and property (in 2019 prices) along the section of the route that has now …
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The Department and HS2 Ltd do not yet know when they will dispose of land and property no longer needed and how they will balance different interests. The Department has spent over £600 million on land and property (in 2019 prices) along the section of the route that has now been cancelled. Part of this land may be required for other projects, such as Northern Powerhouse Rail, but the Department is looking to release land for other purposes quickly. When disposing of the land, HS2 Ltd and the Department will need to ensure that this is done in a way that protects the taxpayer as well as local interests, while also being fair to those who have had their properties compulsorily purchased. The sale of land and property can take many years, with individuals seeking to buy back land no longer needed for Phase 1 finding the process difficult and lengthy. There is a moral expectation that government should expedite opportunities for people who wish to buy back their land and property where they have been required to sell it. Recommendation 5: The Department and HS2 Ltd should, alongside the Treasury Minute response, report to the Committee their plan for land and property disposal. This plan should include: • how they will factor in the need for value for money for the taxpayer and the needs of those who have been affected; and • how they will learn the lessons from land and property sales already occurring as part of Phase 1 and from other property disposal programmes across government.
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Government response AI summary
The government disagrees with reporting its land and property disposal plan alongside the Treasury Minute response, stating it is not yet ready. However, it commits to sharing the plan by summer 2024, which will include balancing taxpayer value for money, the needs of affected parties, …
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HM Treasury
6
Conclusion
Tenth Report - HS2 and Euston
Accepted
The Department has yet to finalise what the redirected £36 billion (in 2023 prices) originally intended for the cancelled HS2 phases will fund or decide on when these projects can be expected to start. The Department has redirected the £36 billion that would have been spent on HS2 Phases 2a, …
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The Department has yet to finalise what the redirected £36 billion (in 2023 prices) originally intended for the cancelled HS2 phases will fund or decide on when these projects can be expected to start. The Department has redirected the £36 billion that would have been spent on HS2 Phases 2a, 2b and East to a large portfolio of different road and rail projects through ‘Network North’. This funding will be available over the period up to 2041, very roughly mirroring the timings of when it would have been spent on HS2. The Department has announced how some of this funding will be redirected, such as support for bus services and additional funds for mayoral combined authorities. The Department says that the list of 8 HS2 and Euston alternative investments contained in Network North would go through normal business case processes to be approved and while some projects are well advanced, other projects still require a significant amount of further work. There is not yet a list, with expected costs and benefits, of what projects the Department expects will be delivered over the long-term with the redirected funds. Recommendation 6: The Department should, alongside its Treasury Minute response, report to the Committee on how it intends to report and update the list of projects by region that will be funded through money redirected to Network North, over what timescale projects will be delivered, and how it will ensure value for money will be achieved. HS2 and Euston 9 1 Value for money of HS2 Phase 1
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Government response AI summary
The government agrees and states the recommendation is implemented. It will report progress against individual Network North schemes as they mature, covering funding, location, and timescales, ensuring all schemes undergo business case development and formal governance for value for money.
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HM Treasury
1
Conclusion
Tenth Report - HS2 and Euston
Accepted
This Committee has reported regularly on progress with the High Speed 2 programme over the last decade. Our first report was in 2013 and even at that early stage we were warning about an emerging pattern of costs increasing, benefits decreasing, and the apparent lack of the necessary commercial expertise …
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This Committee has reported regularly on progress with the High Speed 2 programme over the last decade. Our first report was in 2013 and even at that early stage we were warning about an emerging pattern of costs increasing, benefits decreasing, and the apparent lack of the necessary commercial expertise to oversee the programme. We continued to report our concerns over the years, for example being critical about the lack of transparency over increasing costs, about some of the decisions taken by management, and about engagement with the people, communities and businesses near the route. Our most recent report before this one was in July 2023, and focused on the proposed High Speed 2 station at Euston. Amongst other things we noted that the budget for Euston had proved completely unrealistic even before considering the impact of inflation, and that Parliament had again not had the transparency it needed on the likelihood of cost increases.1
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Government response AI summary
The government states it will incorporate the benefits management and evaluation strategy into the programme’s updated business case. It also commits to continuing public reporting on the realisation of HS2 benefits through its six-monthly reports to Parliament.
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HM Treasury
7
Conclusion
Tenth Report - HS2 and Euston
Accepted
The inclusion of an allowance for remediation costs if Phase 1 were to be discontinued, and the exclusion of sunk costs, had a significant impact on the calculation of a positive BCR in the range 1.1 to 1.8, and thus on the AO Assessment. In addition, the figures quoted for …
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The inclusion of an allowance for remediation costs if Phase 1 were to be discontinued, and the exclusion of sunk costs, had a significant impact on the calculation of a positive BCR in the range 1.1 to 1.8, and thus on the AO Assessment. In addition, the figures quoted for these elements are in 2019 prices and would be significantly higher in 2023 prices, though benefits would also be higher in 2023 terms.13 The Accounting Officer 6 HS2 6-monthly report to Parliament: November 2023 7 Q 15 8 Q 20 9 Letter from DfT to PAC (original dated 4 October, reissued on 14 November with correction to BCR range) 10 Q 46; Letter from DfT to PAC (original dated 4 October, reissued on 14 November with correction to BCR range) 11 Q 12 12 Qq 12, 13 13 Qq 15–17 HS2 and Euston 11 reiterated the point she had previously emphasised in her letter, stating that “if you step back, as it were, and look at the totality of benefits and of costs as if you were starting on day 1 with Phase 1, it would not achieve value for money.”14
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Government response AI summary
The government agrees to address the committee's findings on the Benefit-Cost Ratio by preparing to publish an updated programme business case in 2024, which will set out revised benefits and provide updated benefit-cost ratios for HS2 Phase 1.
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HM Treasury
8
Conclusion
Tenth Report - HS2 and Euston
Accepted
The Department told us that a full, revised business case will need to be produced for Phase 1, taking account of what it now knows about costs, the changes to scope and what that means for the overall benefits.15 The Department said that key benefits remain – such as increased …
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The Department told us that a full, revised business case will need to be produced for Phase 1, taking account of what it now knows about costs, the changes to scope and what that means for the overall benefits.15 The Department said that key benefits remain – such as increased capacity, journey times and wider economic benefits from investment and regeneration around stations.16 But not building 2a and 2b reduces additional capacity and the possibility of faster journeys north of Birmingham, and the previous business case depended on delivering 2a and 2b.17 The Department said that there is undeniably more work to do to get to the new business case, as it represents a significant reset of the programme, and it will need to do further work both to figure out costs and on the benefits that can now be delivered. It told us it would be doing that work in the first half of 2024.18 The Department told us it would take longer than that to produce a detailed plan for a privately funded Euston development.19 Cost escalation
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Government response AI summary
The government confirms it is preparing to publish an updated programme business case for HS2 Phase 1 in 2024, which will detail revised benefits and provide updated benefit-cost ratios, aligning with previous statements to the committee.
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HM Treasury
9
Conclusion
Tenth Report - HS2 and Euston
Accepted
In our previous reports we have regularly raised concerns about escalating costs and cost forecasts for the HS2 programme. For example, in our May 2020 report we commented that “The High Speed Two programme has gone badly off-course and is now estimated to cost up to £88 billion, significantly more …
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In our previous reports we have regularly raised concerns about escalating costs and cost forecasts for the HS2 programme. For example, in our May 2020 report we commented that “The High Speed Two programme has gone badly off-course and is now estimated to cost up to £88 billion, significantly more than the original budget of £55.7 billion (both figures are 2015 prices)”.20 In our September 2021 report we noted that “The programme’s funding was reset in 2020 and is now expected to cost a total of between £72 billion and £98 billion (2019 prices). The Phase One budget is £44.6 billion including almost £10 billion of contingency (2019 prices).”21
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Government response AI summary
The government agrees with the implied concern regarding historical cost escalation for HS2, committing to bearing down on Phase 1 costs, strengthening HS2 Ltd's leadership through recruitment, and reinforcing governance, with updates to be provided in six-monthly reports.
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HM Treasury
10
Conclusion
Tenth Report - HS2 and Euston
Accepted
HS2 Ltd’s most recent estimate for the cost of Phase 1 is that it will be in the range £49 billion to £57 billion (2019 prices). It cites a range of issues as the cause of increases, including “design performance, delivery productivity, consenting delays, and a difficult operating environment with …
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HS2 Ltd’s most recent estimate for the cost of Phase 1 is that it will be in the range £49 billion to £57 billion (2019 prices). It cites a range of issues as the cause of increases, including “design performance, delivery productivity, consenting delays, and a difficult operating environment with COVID-19 and the Ukraine War affecting the supply chain.” In particular it also cites the increased cost of ‘Main Work Civils’. The Government disagrees with this forecast because a) it was drawn up by HS2 Ltd before being told of the decision to cancel Phase 2 and b) because the Department makes different assumptions on how much cost risk remains addressable. The Department’s most recently published estimate is a range of £45 billion to £54 billion (2019 prices) for the cost of Phase 1.22 After our evidence session, when giving evidence to the Transport Committee in January 2024, HS2 Ltd estimated that bringing its estimate in 2019 prices up to 2023–24 prices would 14 Q 17 15 Q 25 16 Qq 21, 24 17 Qq 26, 37 18 Qq 27, 30, 31, 37 19 Qq 32, 33 20 Committee of Public Accounts: High Speed 2: Spring 2020 Update, 3rd Report of Session 2019–21, HC 84, 17 May 2020 21 Committee of Public Accounts; HS2 Summer 2021, 17th Report of Session 2021–22, HC 329, 22 Sept 2021 22 HS2 6-monthly report to Parliament: November 2023 12 HS2 and Euston add a further £8 billion to £10 billion to the cost of Phase 1. It said that construction inflation over the past three years had been 27%, with, for example, steel rising by 47%, rebar by 53%, and concrete by 48%.23
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Government response AI summary
The government agrees with the implied concern regarding HS2 costs, committing to bear down on Phase 1 costs, strengthen HS2 Ltd's leadership through new recruitment, and reinforce governance with updates to be provided in six-monthly reports.
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HM Treasury
11
Conclusion
Tenth Report - HS2 and Euston
Accepted
HS2 Ltd told us that its cost estimate had been the result of much detailed analysis and many meetings, all done transparently with the Department. It told us that while Ministers had committed to an opening date between 2029 and 2033, HS2 Ltd was well within that range at the …
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HS2 Ltd told us that its cost estimate had been the result of much detailed analysis and many meetings, all done transparently with the Department. It told us that while Ministers had committed to an opening date between 2029 and 2033, HS2 Ltd was well within that range at the moment, and was aiming for 2030.24 The Department said that it had worked off the same data and been in the same meetings as HS2 Ltd when coming up with its own overlapping but lower forecast range of costs. But it said it had taken different views to HS2 Ltd on the extent to which risks could be mitigated. The Department accepted that it and HS2 Ltd would have to bottom out differences and reach an agreed range in the next stage of work.25 But even the Department’s lowest cost estimate is higher than the reset Phase 1 budget of £44.6 billion (2019 prices), so the Department is projecting to need more money than has been allocated and will need to agree funding for that with the Treasury.26
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Government response AI summary
The government agrees with the committee's observation and is taking specific steps to strengthen HS2 Ltd's leadership, including recruiting new Non-Executive Directors and a CEO, and implementing a plan to bear down on costs, reinforce cost control culture, and strengthen governance for Phase 1 delivery.
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HM Treasury
12
Conclusion
Tenth Report - HS2 and Euston
Accepted
To explain cost increases since 2020, the Department pointed to several factors including: Covid, inflation, Ukraine, the supply chain and the scale of the cost of dealing with ‘planning and consenting’. It said that poor cost information and cost reporting from the supply chain had been a significant contributing factor, …
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To explain cost increases since 2020, the Department pointed to several factors including: Covid, inflation, Ukraine, the supply chain and the scale of the cost of dealing with ‘planning and consenting’. It said that poor cost information and cost reporting from the supply chain had been a significant contributing factor, and that financial and risk management broadly had not been as robust and as good as it needed to be. The Department acknowledged the need for HS2 Ltd to focus on building the organisation, the capability, the processes and the leadership to drive a relentless focus on cost control.27
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Government response AI summary
The government agrees with the committee's observation and is taking specific steps to strengthen HS2 Ltd's leadership, including recruiting new Non-Executive Directors and a CEO, and implementing a plan to bear down on costs, reinforce cost control culture, and strengthen governance for Phase 1 delivery.
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HM Treasury
13
Conclusion
Tenth Report - HS2 and Euston
Accepted
HS2 Ltd told us more directly that 89% of the difference between the Departments’ 2020 estimate of £44.6 billion and now was about how the Main Works Civils contracts were manifesting. It said that the Government’s decision to let cost-plus contracts, with few incentives and penalties, had left HS2 Ltd …
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HS2 Ltd told us more directly that 89% of the difference between the Departments’ 2020 estimate of £44.6 billion and now was about how the Main Works Civils contracts were manifesting. It said that the Government’s decision to let cost-plus contracts, with few incentives and penalties, had left HS2 Ltd without any real levers on contractors to do better in relation to schedule and costs. The Department then agreed that the Main Works Civils had been the principal driver of cost increase.28 In our May 2020 report we had noted how the revised commercial model with main civil contractors had left HS2 Ltd (and therefore the taxpayer) bearing more of the risk of cost increases. We had pointed to the corresponding need for HS2 Ltd to ensure that it had the right commercial skills to manage these arrangements, and for the Department to be able to oversee and challenge HS2 Ltd’s performance.29 HS2 Ltd told us that the decision to let cost-plus contracts had not itself made the costs increases inevitable, and that there was the key factor to consider of how well the company had managed those contracts, as well as just the form of those contracts.30 23 Transport Committee, Oral evidence: HS2: progress update, HC 85, Q 408 24 Qq 41, 55, 56 25 Qq 56, 58 26 Qq 83–85 27 Q 59 28 Qq 59, 60 29 Committee of Public Accounts: High Speed 2: Spring 2020 Update, 3rd Report of Session 2019–21, HC 84, 17 May 2020 30 Q 95 HS2 and Euston 13
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Government response AI summary
The government agrees with the committee's observation and is taking specific steps to strengthen HS2 Ltd's leadership, including recruiting new Non-Executive Directors and a CEO, and implementing a plan to bear down on costs, reinforce cost control culture, and strengthen governance for Phase 1 delivery.
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HM Treasury
14
Conclusion
Tenth Report - HS2 and Euston
Accepted
In its October 2023 Command Paper on Network North and its new plans for completion of Phase 1, the Department stated that “We need to make changes quickly and decisively so the remainder of HS2 is delivered as cost effectively as possible. That means: a) Bearing down on the costs …
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In its October 2023 Command Paper on Network North and its new plans for completion of Phase 1, the Department stated that “We need to make changes quickly and decisively so the remainder of HS2 is delivered as cost effectively as possible. That means: a) Bearing down on the costs of Phase 1 and only delivering what is essential. b) Embedding a singular focus on cost control in HS2 Ltd and its supply chain and being prepared to take difficult decisions on contracts, scope and benefits to hold to budget. c) Reinforcing the leadership of HS2 Ltd, under Sir Jon Thompson, to change the culture on cost control with challenge from DfT, HMT and the IPA. d) Providing strengthened governance and control from the Government whilst this reset is developed and delivered, with increased oversight and reduced delegation.”31
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Government response AI summary
The government agrees with the committee's observation by reiterating its commitments from the Network North command paper to bear down on costs, embed cost control, reinforce leadership in HS2 Ltd, and strengthen governance, while detailing steps like recruiting new Non-Executive Directors and a CEO.
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HM Treasury
15
Conclusion
Tenth Report - HS2 and Euston
Accepted
On recent development in governance in HS2 Ltd, the company told us it had streamlined executive governance to focus on costs and deliverables, and improved management information significantly, and that it had also recruited two further finance directors and established a new sub-committee for finance and performance. HS2 Ltd said …
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On recent development in governance in HS2 Ltd, the company told us it had streamlined executive governance to focus on costs and deliverables, and improved management information significantly, and that it had also recruited two further finance directors and established a new sub-committee for finance and performance. HS2 Ltd said it had significantly strengthened the Board with two recent appointments, and would be making two further non-executive director appointments with a particular focus on cost control. It also said it was also introducing a new ‘chief railway officer’ post from January 2024 to integrate all elements of the new railway. The chief railway officer would report directly to the new chief executive. The new chief executive has not been appointed yet, and HS2 Ltd told us the question of salary was still with Ministers to consider, but a job description and person specification had been agreed.32 31 Department for Transport: NETWORK NORTH: TRANSFORMING BRITISH TRANSPORT, CP 946, October 2023 32 Qq 6–11 14 HS2 and Euston 2 Closing down HS2 Phase 2 Impact of decision to cancel Phase 2
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Government response AI summary
The government agrees with the committee's observation, confirming that HS2 Ltd's leadership and capability are critical and detailing ongoing recruitment efforts for new Non-Executive Directors and a CEO to reinforce cost control and governance.
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HM Treasury
17
Conclusion
Tenth Report - HS2 and Euston
Accepted
The cancellation of other HS2 phases will inevitably result in some design changes to Phase 1. HS2 Ltd told us that the top of its list is the implications for how HS2 trains will join the West Coast Main Line. HS2 trains would have joined the line north of Manchester …
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The cancellation of other HS2 phases will inevitably result in some design changes to Phase 1. HS2 Ltd told us that the top of its list is the implications for how HS2 trains will join the West Coast Main Line. HS2 trains would have joined the line north of Manchester if Phase 2a were being built. But in order to travel on HS2 trains through to Manchester, Liverpool and Scotland, HS2 trains will now need to join it at Handsacre, which is near Lichfield.35 Once the HS2 trains have joined the West Coast Main Line they will be limited to that line speed, rather than able to travel at faster HS2 line speeds, and likely be slower than the existing tilting Pendolino rolling stock.36 HS2 Ltd described Handsacre junction as already being a choke point for the West Coast Main Line. It told us it was working with the Department to look at whether the junction needed to be bigger and what expansion might mean in terms of land and cost.37
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Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges the implications of HS2 phase cancellations, stating it is progressing amendments to Phase 1 and working through options to enhance the Handsacre junction. It is also undertaking a review of HS2 infrastructure and managing the closedown of other phases, with updates due …
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HM Treasury
18
Conclusion
Tenth Report - HS2 and Euston
Accepted
We asked the Department about the impact of cancelling HS2 Phases 2 on other projects that would have had existing business cases dependent in part on Phases 2a or 2b. The Department highlighted the interdependency between 2b and Northern Powerhouse Rail and said that it would be some time before …
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We asked the Department about the impact of cancelling HS2 Phases 2 on other projects that would have had existing business cases dependent in part on Phases 2a or 2b. The Department highlighted the interdependency between 2b and Northern Powerhouse Rail and said that it would be some time before it had a business case for the revised scope of that. It said that while some of the programmes within Network North were well established, it did not yet have a business case for some of the others.38
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Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges the interdependencies and the need for business cases, detailing ongoing work to amend safeguarding directions for former HS2 phases to allow for Northern Powerhouse Rail, with amendments expected by summer 2024. It also describes plans for orderly closedown activities and future updates.
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HM Treasury
19
Conclusion
Tenth Report - HS2 and Euston
Accepted
We also asked whether any contracts would need to be cancelled in respect of Phase 2 and payments made to companies as a result. HS2 Ltd told us that for Phases 2a and 2b the number of contracts let was very small, but it was exposed to some legal challenge, …
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We also asked whether any contracts would need to be cancelled in respect of Phase 2 and payments made to companies as a result. HS2 Ltd told us that for Phases 2a and 2b the number of contracts let was very small, but it was exposed to some legal challenge, the value of which exposure it estimated to be under £10 million.39
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Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges the issues with cancelled contracts and legal exposure by detailing its ongoing work to bring HS2 Phase 2 work to an orderly stop, ensuring value for money. HS2 Ltd is developing detailed plans for closedown activities, including costs and milestones.
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HM Treasury
21
Conclusion
Tenth Report - HS2 and Euston
Accepted
In July 2023 we reported on how the Department’s previous plans for the HS2 station at Euston had proved to be unrealistic and unaffordable.42 Alongside the October 2023 cancellation of HS2 phases 2, the Department acknowledged that previous plans for the station had been unaffordable, and announced that the station …
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In July 2023 we reported on how the Department’s previous plans for the HS2 station at Euston had proved to be unrealistic and unaffordable.42 Alongside the October 2023 cancellation of HS2 phases 2, the Department acknowledged that previous plans for the station had been unaffordable, and announced that the station design would be stripped back to focus on delivering a station that works and can be open as soon as possible. The Department announced that it “will deliver a new Euston Quarter to provide much-needed homes”, appoint a development company (separate from HS2 Ltd) to manage delivery of the project, leverage private sector investment, and by so doing release £6.5 billion (2023 prices) of previously planned expenditure.43
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Government response AI summary
The government agrees with the committee's observation, confirming its ambition to deliver HS2 to Euston and create a transformed Euston Quarter by using alternative funding and maximizing private investment, with work currently underway to develop funding packages and financing mechanisms by Summer 2024.
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HM Treasury
22
Conclusion
Tenth Report - HS2 and Euston
Accepted
The Department confirmed to us that “At the moment we are expecting the private sector to fund the station and all the development. The benefit for developers comes from the commercial housing development.”44 It confirmed that this included looking for private funding to cover the whole cost of running from …
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The Department confirmed to us that “At the moment we are expecting the private sector to fund the station and all the development. The benefit for developers comes from the commercial housing development.”44 It confirmed that this included looking for private funding to cover the whole cost of running from Old Oak Common to Euston.45 We noted that the Treasury had previously rejected the idea of Euston being privately funded; the Department replied that the Treasury stance had changed and that “They are now very supportive of us seeking private sector-led investment.”46 The Department told us that the expectation is that a development corporation will be set up to take the Euston plans forward, but that there are different sorts and it would be working with DLUHC and the Treasury “to develop the best possible plan to secure the ambition for Euston.”47
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Government response AI summary
The government agrees with the committee's observation, confirming its ambition to deliver HS2 to Euston and create a transformed Euston Quarter by using alternative funding and maximizing private investment, with work currently underway to develop funding packages and financing mechanisms by Summer 2024.
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HM Treasury
23
Conclusion
Tenth Report - HS2 and Euston
Accepted
The Department confirmed it remains the Government’s ambition that Euston be the London terminus for HS2.48 But it confirmed it was still expecting trains to stop at Old Oak Common for a period of time before Euston was developed, because Euston would not be up and running in the same …
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The Department confirmed it remains the Government’s ambition that Euston be the London terminus for HS2.48 But it confirmed it was still expecting trains to stop at Old Oak Common for a period of time before Euston was developed, because Euston would not be up and running in the same timeframe. The Department could not give any date or range of dates for when it thought Euston might be delivered.49
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Government response AI summary
The government agrees with the committee's observation, reaffirming its ambition to deliver HS2 to Euston as the London terminus and committing to developing funding models and financing mechanisms to enable this, with ongoing preparatory works for tunnelling.
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HM Treasury
24
Conclusion
Tenth Report - HS2 and Euston
Accepted
We raised concerns about the risk of incurring significant additional cost later if contracts for the tunnel between Old Oak Common and Euston were not let in the coming months. The Department said there were significant phasing issues of this nature 40 Q 129 41 Q 132 42 Committee of …
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We raised concerns about the risk of incurring significant additional cost later if contracts for the tunnel between Old Oak Common and Euston were not let in the coming months. The Department said there were significant phasing issues of this nature 40 Q 129 41 Q 132 42 Committee of Public Accounts: HS2 Euston, 63rd Report of Session 2022–23, HC 1004, 7 July 2023 43 Department for Transport: NETWORK NORTH: TRANSFORMING BRITISH TRANSPORT, CP 946, October 2023 44 Q 147 45 Q 149 46 Qq 147, 164–5 47 Qq 152–3 48 Q 160 49 Qq 155, 156 16 HS2 and Euston for the Euston redevelopment that it would have to address pragmatically. It recognised the issue that there is a dependency on getting the tunnelling away to open Old Oak Common and said that, ultimately, it might seek funds to compensate the Government for that tunnelling from the private sector as part of the wider development – “If there is a cash flow issue, the taxpayer will probably have to substitute for that in the short term.”50 The Department told us that “The attractiveness of Euston and the high-speed station at Euston is only going to be realised if you have the approach into Old Oak Common. That is understood.”51
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Government response AI summary
The government agrees with the committee's concerns, reiterating its ambition to deliver HS2 to Euston and confirming that work is underway to develop funding packages and financing mechanisms for the Euston Quarter, including options to pay for the Old Oak Common to Euston section, with …
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HM Treasury
26
Conclusion
Tenth Report - HS2 and Euston
Accepted
HS2 Ltd told us it had spent £3.6 billion on land and property for Phase 1, and believed it had acquired more than 95% of the land it would require for Phase 1. It had spent £634 million on acquiring land and property for the HS2 phases that have now …
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HS2 Ltd told us it had spent £3.6 billion on land and property for Phase 1, and believed it had acquired more than 95% of the land it would require for Phase 1. It had spent £634 million on acquiring land and property for the HS2 phases that have now been scrapped – £273 million on Phase 2a, plus £201 million on 2b, plus £160 million on the eastern leg to Leeds.54
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Government response AI summary
The government states it is developing a programme for selling land no longer required for Phase 2 and will share the plan by summer 2024, committing to ensuring value for money and considering affected parties' interests.
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HM Treasury