24 January 2022
The Bill for the HS2 extension to Manchester goes to Parliament today. Commenting on the plans, Andy Mayer, Environment, Energy and Infrastructure Analyst at free market think tank the Institute of Economic Affairs, said:
“There is no good economic case for HS2. It is troubling that ministers continue to justify the white elephant in respect of jobs created, while ignoring the jobs that will be destroyed by the increased borrowing and taxes required to pay for it. If there were a serious business case for HS2, it would not require government support, or ministerial cheerleaders.“Cancelled services are undermining the government’s decision to end working from home guidance. As Covid restrictions lift, restoring rail services – rather than pumping taxpayer’s money into wasteful vanity projects – should be the government’s priority.”
ENDS
Notes to editors
Contact: Emily Carver, Head of Media, 07715 942 731
IEA spokespeople are available for interview and further comment.
Further IEA reading on HS2:
The High-Speed Gravy Train
Failure to Transform: High-Speed Rail and the Regeneration Myth
Media Coverage
Julian Jessop comments for the Daily Mail
24 January 2022
Media Coverage
Matthew Lesh comments for the Daily Mail
24 January 2022
Media Coverage