Mary Creagh MP, Labour’s Shadow Transport Secretary, responding to the HS2 Growth Taskforce report, said:

“This report lays out the challenges ahead to maximise the benefits for the whole country from HS2. We want better connections between HS2 and planned future rail investment in the north and for it to maximise the apprenticeships this project will provide.

“We need to ensure HS2 regenerates our great cities, gets young people into work and helps our small businesses to grow.

“As always we will continue to hold the Government to account for keeping costs down on the project as the Bill progresses because there can be no blank cheque.”