HS2 will benefit UK, says Transport Secretary

Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin has defended the controversial HS2 project amid claims it could cost some cities hundreds of millions of pounds.

Mr McLoughlin insisted he had "no doubt" that the scheme would benefit the UK as a whole, describing it as "vital" for the long-term health of the economy.

The comments came after previously unreleased research listed more than 50 areas that are likely to end up worse off - including Bristol, Cambridge and Aberdeen.

In September ministers hailed the KPMG report for concluding that HS2 would boost the British economy by £15 billion a year.

But while it listed the areas that would benefit - such as Greater London by £2.8 billion and the West Midlands by £1.5 billion - it omitted details of those that would end up worse off.

The full findings were finally released in response to a Freedom of Information request, and passed to the BBC's Newsnight programme.

Among those hardest hit would be Aberdeen, losing £220 million, Cambridge, which would lose £127 million, Bristol with £101 million, and Essex south with £151 million.

Mr McLouglin said: " All these investments that we are looking at is to serve the people of the UK, to make the UK a place where we attract investment.

"It's of no doubt to me that it's beneficial to the UK. We need to make sure our cities in the north are able to compete with the rest of Europe as well."

Mr McLoughlin said the report showed HS2, which would connect London to Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds, would give a £15 billion boost to UK plc.

"HS2 is vitally important overall for the long-term future of the economy," he added.

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