Transport minister Andrew Jones denies Conservatives considering a HS2 pause

The transport minister Andrew Jones today told The Yorkshire Post that the Conservative party remains committed to HS2 following reports that it was considering kicking the project into the long-grass.

The Manchester Evening News got no such clarity when it followed up a story in The Sun which made the claim that Tory MPs were pressing for the project to be "delayed for years," quoting a 'Government source' that the suggestion was "being discussed, but was by no means a done deal". A spokesperson told the MEN after it asked for comment on a report that the PM had been persuaded to cancel HS2: "We will of course publish our programme for Government during the campaign," it reported yesterday.

But today Jones, Harrogate MP, said: “HS2 is going ahead. Construction will be underway shortly, and that will be an important moment in our transport history. The Government is committed to it. Suggestions to the contrary are incorrect,” The Yorkshire Post reported.