Keir Starmer to make bombshell decision over HS2 ‘failure’

Keir Starmer is expected to delay the opening of the controversial HS2 after costs skyrocketed by £37 billion.

The announcement is set to be made today following the publication of a report outlining a “litany of failure” between 2012 and the general election in 2024. Parts of the project which are yet to be completed and were due to open in 2033 will be delayed by at least two years.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander will accuse the Conservative Party of increasing the costs and turning Britain’s infrastructure projects into a “laughing stock,” The Telegraph reports. She is also expected to say that subcontractors inflated prices.

The official report was carried out by former chief executive of Crossrail James Stewart. It suggests 89 recommendations that Ms Alexander is set to accept tomorrow.

Mike Brown, the former Transport for London commissioner, will be appointed as the new chairman of HS2 Ltd.

Ms Alexander is expected to say: “There are allegations that parts of the supply chain have been defrauding taxpayers, and I have been clear that these need to be investigated rapidly and rigorously.

“If fraud is found, then the consequences will be felt by all involved.”

The remaining of the HS2 project, linking London and Birmingham, was estimated in 2012 to cost £20bn. It is now, however, projected to reach £57bn.

HS2 Ltd recently launched an investigation into claims that one of its subcontractors had been overinflating costs.

A spokesperson for HS2 Ltd said at the time: “We treat all whistleblower allegations seriously and are continuing to conduct our own investigation. Furthermore, HS2 Ltd has formally reported the allegations to HMRC.”