Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is considering whether to scrap or delay the second phase of the HS2 high-speed railway which would link Birmingham with Manchester.
Launched in 2009, HS2 was estimated to cost £37.5 billion, but that number has continued to climb, and some reports suggest the budget may now have surpassed £100 billion.
The government says it is concerned at the rising costs during the UKās current economic situation.
As it stands, HS2 would run from Old Oak Common, in London's western suburbs, to Birmingham Curzon Street, when it begins operations between 2029 and 2033.
Report by Jonesia.
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The Prime Minister has vowed to upgrade struggling rail services between Manchester and Yorkshire as he announced £415 million in transport funding. It comes after delays to the electrification of the TransPennine route upgrade between Manchester and York following the dropping of the Phase 2 HS2 extension. Sir Keir Starmer said he hopes to complete the project by 2030. Report by Kennedyl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
The government has announced £415 million to upgrade struggling rail services between Manchester and Yorkshire. It comes after delays to the electrification of the TransPennine route upgrade between Manchester and York following the dropping of the Phase 2 HS2 extension.
Report by Kennedyl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Sir Keir Starmer led the departures from the VE Day service on Thursday. The prime minister was accompanied by his wife Victoria as they left Westminster Abbey following the World War II commemorations. Following closely behind them was London mayor Sadiq Khan, former prime minister David Cameron and his wife Samantha and Rishi Sunak and his wife Akshata Murty. Report by Brooksl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Several former prime ministers arrived at Westminster Abbey for the VE Day Thanksgiving Service on Thursday. Boris Johnson, Rishi Sunak and David Cameron were among the former leaders attending the service to commemorate the 80th anniversary of World War II ending. Report by Brooksl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Nigel Farage declared Reform UK as the "real opposition" after a surprise sweep in UK local elections, including a historic by-election win. The right-wing party also captured mayoral and council seats, sending shockwaves through Labour and Conservative strongholds. Farage hailed the results as a turning point in British politics, vowing to shake up the two-party system. This marks a significant political shift and raises questions about the future of Keir Starmer's Labour and Rishi Sunakās Conservatives. Watch the full speech and analysis of Reform UKās rise.
#NigelFarage #ReformUK #UKByElection #BritishPolitics #FarageSpeech #KeirStarmer #UKElections #UKNews #UKPolitics #RightWingUK #FarageVictory #UKLocalElections #ReformUKWins #LabourParty #ConservativeParty #ToryLoss #UKOpposition #BritishVotes #RishiSunak #FarageMovement
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Sir Keir Starmer says England faces a "never-ending fight for our flag and what it represents", during a speech to mark St Georgeās Day at 10 Downing Street. The prime minister shares his worries about the far-right claiming ownership of the English flag at a reception to mark the nationās patron saint. Sir Keir also praises England for its diversity, pointing to the difference between his "working class" background and his predecessor Rishi Sunak, "an English Hindu", who both become prime minister. Report by Blairm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
The Israeli embassy in London was the target of an alleged terror plot that led to the arrest of five Iranian men on Saturday, it is understood. Sky News
If you've ever spent your Monday morning commute daydreaming about starting afresh with your career, this feature is for you. Each Monday, our Money team speaks.. Sky News
Every week our Money blog interviews chefs from around the UK, hearing about their cheap food hacks and more. Today we chat to Kray Treadwell, a Michelin Young.. Sky News
Local government minister Jim McMahon visits Birmingham where a strike by refuse collectors continues. McMahon said he holds a āstrong viewā that a deal to end the strikes can be agreed.
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The defence secretary says the government's commitment to NATO is "unshakeable". Speaking at the London Defence Conference, John Healey says Ukraine is fighting for the same freedoms that Europe fought for 80 years ago and that "the lesson of 80 years ago reminds us of the importance of alliances". Report by Brooksl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Kemi Badenoch says the UK-US trade agreement is "not a historic deal". The Conservative Party leader adds it is simply a "small tariffs deal" that leaves the country in a "worse position than we were in March". Report by Brooksl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Andrew Bailey says he is "very pleased" that the UK and the US have reached a trade deal agreement. But the governor of the Bank of England adds the deal will become much more important "if it becomes the trendsetter" for agreements involving the rest of the world. His comments come after the Bank of England cut interest rates from 4.5% to 4.25%. Report by Brooksl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Sir Keir Starmer has celebrated the new UK and US trade agreement, saying it will "boost trade between the two countries" and "create more jobs" in the UK. The prime minister travelled to Jaguar Land Rovers factory in the West Midlands to announce the landmark agreement.
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The prime minister has held a phone call with the US president after agreeing a "historic" trade deal. Speaking from the White House, Donald Trump says there could not be a "more perfect morning to reach this historic agreement", given that the deal has been announced on the same day that Europe celebrated victory in World War II. Sir Keir Starmer replied by paying tribute to the historic, close partnership between the UK and US, adding that "the timing couldn't be more apt". Report by Brooksl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn