Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 21
21
The creation of thousands of jobs is central to the Department and HS2 Ltd programme’s...
Conclusion
The creation of thousands of jobs is central to the Department and HS2 Ltd programme’s case for building the railway. The Department told us that the growth strategies of Greater Manchester and the West Midlands envisaged that the programme would bring up to 180,000 and 100,000 job respectively, plus around 65,000 jobs expected at Old Oak Common. It recognised, however, that it now needed to turn these expectations into a reality. While jobs created by investment in the areas that will benefit from the railway are promised to materialise once the programme is complete, the Department expects that thousands more jobs will be created to support the construction of the railway. It told us that so far HS2 Ltd had been responsible, through its contractors, for creating around 16,000 jobs, which was expected to increase to around 30,000 at the peak of the programme.51
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
4.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Recommendation implemented 4.2 The department wrote to the Committee in November 2021 setting out its benefits approach for the HS2 programme and stated that they are committed to maximising benefits and minimising negative impacts. This includes maximizing positive outcomes; from increasing rail capacity and connectivity to reducing carbon emissions and delivering on jobs and skills, but also mitigating disbenefits including road disruption during construction. 4.3 HS2 Ltd will publish, and share with stakeholders, its first bi-annual Benefits Update. This publication will build on the data shared in the third HS2 6-monthly report to Parliament and highlight through case studies the strong work being undertaken on benefits. 4.4 HS2 Ltd has a strategy to identify, monitor and evaluate the core benefits funded and within scope of the programme and has implemented ‘Benefits Baselines’ for each of its phases, linked to the strategic and economic objectives in the relevant business cases. The department and HS2 Ltd are working towards the publication of a joint Benefits Management and Evaluation Strategy next year. In addition to the benefits directly arising from the work on the programme the department is focused on maximizing wider benefits catalysed by HS2. The department is working with other government departments as their support and collaboration is needed to unlock these opportunities, via regular engagement and through appropriate governance. 4.5 HS2 offers a major opportunity to catalyse local regeneration, supporting the government’s Levelling-up agenda. A devolved approach has been taken to regeneration at HS2 station places, with local government leading and central government in support. The department is working closely with the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, to determine how central government can help local places make the most of HS2.