High Speed 2: Progress at Summer 2021

Public Accounts Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 7 Jun 2021 Closed: 14 Dec 2021 Parliament page
One year ago the Public Accounts Committee reported that the High-Speed 2 rail project was “badly off course” with project managers “blindsided by contact with reality” , as it raised serious concerns about the official account that had been provided to the Committee, over time, of the project’s health. The … Read more
11 Recommendations
19 Conclusions
1 Report
2 Oral sessions
5 Letters
2 Events
Activity timeline 9 events
14 Dec
2021
Report published
25 Oct
2021
Correspondence
22 Sep
2021
Report published
20 Jul
2021
Correspondence
20 Jul
2021
Correspondence
24 Jun
2021
Oral evidence
21 Jun
2021
Oral evidence
21 Jun
2021
Correspondence
10 Jun
2021
Correspondence
Oral evidence sessions 2 sessions
24 Jun 2021
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HS2 recall
Bernadette Kelly · Department for Transport Clive Maxwell · Department for Energy Security and Net Zero Mark Thurston · HS2 Ltd
21 Jun 2021
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HS2 recall
Craig Wakeman · West Midlands Combined Authority Sir John Armitt · National Infrastructure Commission Sir Mark Worthington · HS2 Ltd
Title HC No. Published Items Response
Seventeenth Report- HS2 Summer 2021 HC 329 22 Sep 2021 30 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
30 results
2 Recommendation Accepted
Seventeenth Report- HS2 Summer 2021
The Department has made little progress on the design and delivery at Euston since we...
The Department has made little progress on the design and delivery at Euston since we last reported, and we remain concerned that time is running out. Euston station is a key element of the programme both as the London terminus … Read more
Government Response
The government agreed, stating it has moved to a smaller 10-platform design for Euston, as detailed in its third 6-monthly report, and confirmed funding for integration with Network Rail, with further details and assurance processes to be provided in the next report.
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3 Recommendation Accepted
Seventeenth Report- HS2 Summer 2021
HS2 Ltd has started planning how it will integrate its systems for Phase One to...
HS2 Ltd has started planning how it will integrate its systems for Phase One to ensure the railway works, but this is an inherently risky part of the programme. We previously raised concerns that, given the scale of the programme … Read more
Government Response
The government agreed to continue providing regular updates on systems integration in 6-monthly reports and committed to writing to the Committee by Summer 2022, after the rolling stock contract is awarded and design is underway, to explain how the train design supports system integration.
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4 Recommendation Accepted
Seventeenth Report- HS2 Summer 2021
We are increasingly concerned that the Department and HS2 Ltd do not yet know how...
We are increasingly concerned that the Department and HS2 Ltd do not yet know how they will turn the benefits promised from High Speed 2 into a reality, including what additional investments will be needed or how these will be … Read more
Government Response
The government agreed with the recommendation and confirmed the department wrote to the Committee in November 2021 to outline its benefits approach. HS2 Ltd will also publish its first bi-annual Benefits Update and a joint Benefits Management and Evaluation Strategy next year.
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5 Recommendation Accepted
Seventeenth Report- HS2 Summer 2021
The Department and HS2 Ltd are not adequately engaging with the Department for Education to...
The Department and HS2 Ltd are not adequately engaging with the Department for Education to secure the skills required for the future of the programme and training the next generation of skilled workers. We have repeatedly raised concerns that the … Read more
Government Response
The government agreed and reported that the recommendation had been implemented, stating the department wrote to the Committee in November 2021 detailing its proactive engagement with DfE and other education providers, and outlined HS2 Ltd's skills strategy and support for the NCATI merger.
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6 Recommendation Accepted
Seventeenth Report- HS2 Summer 2021
We are already concerned about the volume of complaints on disruption from the programme which...
We are already concerned about the volume of complaints on disruption from the programme which does not bode well for the future as more communities will be impacted as construction progresses. HS2 Ltd estimates it has handled 124,000 queries over … Read more
Government Response
The government agreed with the recommendation and confirmed the department wrote to the Committee in November 2021 detailing efforts to resolve community engagement and environmental issues. It highlighted a decline in complaints, establishment of construction inspectors, and plans to publish an Environmental Sustainability Progress Report.
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1 Conclusion Acknowledged
Seventeenth Report- HS2 Summer 2021
On the basis of a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General, we took evidence...
On the basis of a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General, we took evidence from the Department for Transport (the Department) and High Speed Two Limited (HS2 Ltd) on the High Speed 2 programme.1 We also took evidence from … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledged the committee's summary of the evidence-gathering process, restating who gave evidence and noting that the report was published and this is the government's response.
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7 Conclusion Acknowledged
Seventeenth Report- HS2 Summer 2021
Following our evidence session, HS2 Ltd wrote to us and set out the high-level schedule...
Following our evidence session, HS2 Ltd wrote to us and set out the high-level schedule and associated budgets (including contingency) for Phase 1 activities discussed at the session. These are set out in the table below: Phase 1 activity Budget … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledged the Committee's conclusion regarding the Phase 1 schedule and budgets, stating that the third HS2 6-monthly report confirms cost pressures and contingency use. It committed to maintaining this reporting format for future 6-monthly reports.
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8 Conclusion Accepted
Seventeenth Report- HS2 Summer 2021
The Government’s latest range of estimated costs for Phase 1 is £35–45 billion (2019 prices).12...
The Government’s latest range of estimated costs for Phase 1 is £35–45 billion (2019 prices).12 For Phase 2a the range is £5.2–7.2 billion (2019 prices). The latest updated 6 Committee of Public Accounts, High Speed 2: Spring 2020 update, Third … Read more
Government Response
The government agreed with the committee's implied recommendation regarding cost reporting, stating that the third HS2 6-monthly report to Parliament already confirms cost pressures and contingency use in a tabular format. Future reports will continue to follow this consistent format.
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9 Conclusion Acknowledged
Seventeenth Report- HS2 Summer 2021
The construction of the main civil engineering components of the programme (such as tunnels and...
The construction of the main civil engineering components of the programme (such as tunnels and viaducts) is a major undertaking and was a major cause of delays and cost increases at the time of our last report.16 In a letter … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledged the Committee's conclusion regarding the programme's costs and contracts, stating that the third HS2 6-monthly report details cost pressures and contingency use. It committed to maintaining this reporting format for future reports.
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10 Recommendation Accepted
Seventeenth Report- HS2 Summer 2021
In our 2020 report we recommended that the Department publish regular reports on progress to...
In our 2020 report we recommended that the Department publish regular reports on progress to Parliament, including a realistic appraisal of the programme’s likelihood of delivering to budget and schedule.18 HS2 Ltd and the Department reported £0.8 billion in cost … Read more
Government Response
The government accepted the recommendation, confirming that its third 6-monthly report to Parliament details cost pressures and contingency use in tabular form. It committed to maintaining this reporting format in all future 6-monthly reports.
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11 Conclusion Accepted
Seventeenth Report- HS2 Summer 2021
Euston station is a key element of HS2 and will be an important transport hub...
Euston station is a key element of HS2 and will be an important transport hub and business area, with potential opportunities for economic regeneration at the wider site. It is intended to be the London terminus of the High Speed … Read more
Government Response
The government states it has agreed with and implemented the recommendation regarding Euston station, detailing decisions to move to a simpler 10-platform design and approved funding for greater integration between HS2 and Network Rail stations through The Euston Partnership.
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12 Recommendation Accepted
Seventeenth Report- HS2 Summer 2021
In our May 2020 report, we raised our concerns over the huge uncertainty remaining for...
In our May 2020 report, we raised our concerns over the huge uncertainty remaining for Euston station, specifically the lack of clarity around the station build. The Department and HS2 Ltd told us at the time that although the design … Read more
Government Response
The government accepted the recommendation, reporting a decision to move to a smaller, simpler 10-platform design for Euston station. It also noted that funding was approved to support greater integration with Network Rail, with further details expected in the next 6-monthly report.
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13 Conclusion Accepted
Seventeenth Report- HS2 Summer 2021
The Department detailed some of the work it has been undertaking since early 2020 to...
The Department detailed some of the work it has been undertaking since early 2020 to find cost savings at Euston. This included: a review of the proposed tracks and tunnelling at Euston, which confirmed the existing approach was justified; an … Read more
Government Response
The government reported that it has moved to a smaller, simpler 10-platform Euston station design, which is in development. It is continuing to explore integration opportunities and optimise oversite development, with further details to be provided in the next 6-monthly report.
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14 Conclusion Acknowledged
Seventeenth Report- HS2 Summer 2021
The Department acknowledged that Euston is a “very urgent and immediate challenge”.
The Department acknowledged that Euston is a “very urgent and immediate challenge”. HS2 Ltd similarly noted that decisions on the final options are time-bound, and that it was concerned that the programme will “literally run out of time”.33 HS2 Ltd … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledged the Committee's concerns regarding Euston, reporting a decision to move to a smaller, simpler 10-platform design for the station. The updated design is under development, and the department is exploring greater integration with Network Rail, with further details to follow.
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15 Conclusion Acknowledged
Seventeenth Report- HS2 Summer 2021
We asked the Department what assurances it could give that whatever happened at Euston, it...
We asked the Department what assurances it could give that whatever happened at Euston, it would not affect the delivery of the programme overall.36 The Department provided us with details of the assurance process it follows more broadly on the … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledged the conclusion by providing an update on the decision to move to a smaller, 10-platform design for Euston Station, confirming it is in development and will be assured, and that the Euston Partnership continues to explore integration opportunities.
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16 Conclusion Accepted
Seventeenth Report- HS2 Summer 2021
The High Speed 2 programme has many interdependent elements, including stations, infrastructure and railway systems.
The High Speed 2 programme has many interdependent elements, including stations, infrastructure and railway systems. We raised concerns in our previous report that, given the scale of the programme and its future impact on the rail network, if the Department … Read more
Government Response
The government states it agrees with the committee's recommendation and considers it implemented, noting that procurements for remaining rail systems packages are underway and will continue over the next two years, with regular updates provided.
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17 Conclusion Accepted
Seventeenth Report- HS2 Summer 2021
The Department recognised two primary risks in relation to railway systems: the physical practicalities of...
The Department recognised two primary risks in relation to railway systems: the physical practicalities of different contractors working on the ground together; and, systems not integrating effectively.41 We asked HS2 Ltd how it planned to avoid the issues with railway … Read more
Government Response
The government agreed with the committee's implied recommendation, stating that procurements for rail systems packages are underway and will continue. The department committed to providing regular systems updates and will write to the Committee about train design and system integration once the rolling stock contract is awarded.
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18 Conclusion Accepted
Seventeenth Report- HS2 Summer 2021
HS2 Ltd recognised that the integration of railway systems would be crucial and explained that...
HS2 Ltd recognised that the integration of railway systems would be crucial and explained that it planned to establish a collaborative alliance amongst the main railway systems contractors to encourage them to work together to deliver the integrated systems. Although … Read more
Government Response
The government agreed with the committee's implied recommendation, stating that procurements for rail systems packages are underway and will continue. The department committed to providing regular systems updates and will write to the Committee about train design and system integration once the rolling stock contract is awarded.
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19 Conclusion Accepted
Seventeenth Report- HS2 Summer 2021
The Department and HS2 Ltd have repeatedly promised that High Speed 2 will bring about...
The Department and HS2 Ltd have repeatedly promised that High Speed 2 will bring about a wide range of benefits that go beyond the increase in capacity and reduction of journey times on routes between major cities. These promised benefits … Read more
Government Response
The government states it has agreed with and implemented the recommendation regarding HS2 benefits, detailing actions such as a letter to the committee, HS2 Ltd publishing a bi-annual Benefits Update, and working towards a joint Benefits Management and Evaluation Strategy.
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20 Recommendation Accepted
Seventeenth Report- HS2 Summer 2021
Both the Department and the West Midlands Combined Authority provided examples of how cities and...
Both the Department and the West Midlands Combined Authority provided examples of how cities and regions that stand to benefit from High Speed 2 have ambitious plans for how to capitalise on the opportunity that High Speed 2 provides. For … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees with the recommendation and states it is implemented. HS2 Ltd will publish a bi-annual Benefits Update and the department, with HS2 Ltd, is working towards a joint Benefits Management and Evaluation Strategy next year to maximise benefits and coordinate with other departments.
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21 Recommendation Accepted
Seventeenth Report- HS2 Summer 2021
The creation of thousands of jobs is central to the Department and HS2 Ltd programme’s...
The creation of thousands of jobs is central to the Department and HS2 Ltd programme’s case for building the railway. The Department told us that the growth strategies of Greater Manchester and the West Midlands envisaged that the programme would … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees with the recommendation, stating it is implemented, and outlines its benefits approach including future publication of a bi-annual Benefits Update and a joint Benefits Management and Evaluation Strategy next year, focusing on maximising jobs and skills.
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22 Recommendation Accepted
Seventeenth Report- HS2 Summer 2021
The Department and HS2 Ltd asserted that many of the jobs from the programme will...
The Department and HS2 Ltd asserted that many of the jobs from the programme will go to those who live locally to construction sites. However, the West Midlands Combined Authority told us that of a high number of the jobs … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees with the recommendation and states it is implemented, outlining a benefits approach for HS2 to maximise positive outcomes for communities, including through a bi-annual Benefits Update and a joint Benefits Management and Evaluation Strategy next year.
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23 Conclusion Accepted
Seventeenth Report- HS2 Summer 2021
We asked the Department about the private sector investment that would be needed as part...
We asked the Department about the private sector investment that would be needed as part of delivering the benefits expected from the programme. The Department told us that it had started to take steps to encourage private sector investment to … Read more
Government Response
The government accepted the implicit need to demonstrate benefits and encourage private investment, confirming it wrote to the Committee outlining its benefits approach. It committed to HS2 Ltd publishing a bi-annual Benefits Update and the department working towards a joint Benefits Management and Evaluation Strategy next year.
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24 Conclusion Accepted
Seventeenth Report- HS2 Summer 2021
HS2 Ltd described the work it was doing to protect the environment as the “untold...
HS2 Ltd described the work it was doing to protect the environment as the “untold story” of the programme. It stated that there would be no net loss to biodiversity from phases 1 and 2a, and that there could be … Read more
Government Response
The government states that HS2 Ltd's first Environmental Sustainability Progress Report will be published to clarify the programme's environmental impacts, alongside a refreshed environmental sustainability vision.
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25 Conclusion Accepted
Seventeenth Report- HS2 Summer 2021
Ensuring that enough people with the right skills and capability are available to the High...
Ensuring that enough people with the right skills and capability are available to the High Speed 2 programme at the right time is critical to its success. In reports from 2013, 2016 and 2020, both this and our previous Committees … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees with the recommendation to proactively engage with education providers for HS2 skills, confirming actions taken include writing to the committee, HS2 Ltd's Skills, Employment and Education strategy, and ongoing engagement with DfE, ESFA, and FE colleges.
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26 Conclusion Accepted
Seventeenth Report- HS2 Summer 2021
The Department and HS2 Ltd told our previous Committee in 2016 that the National College...
The Department and HS2 Ltd told our previous Committee in 2016 that the National College for High Speed Rail would be crucial in training people in the skills required to successfully construct High Speed 2 and other infrastructure projects. For … Read more
Government Response
The government agreed with the committee's implied recommendation for proactive engagement with education providers, confirming the department wrote to the Committee in November 2021. It detailed existing strategies, engagement with the ESFA, and ongoing work to support colleges along the HS2 route.
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27 Conclusion Accepted
Seventeenth Report- HS2 Summer 2021
The Department explained that it was not, and had never been, directly responsible for the...
The Department explained that it was not, and had never been, directly responsible for the college as this fell under the remit of the Department for Education. It explained that it’s detailed involvement in the college had been limited and … Read more
Government Response
The government agreed with the committee's implied recommendation for proactive engagement with education providers, confirming the department wrote to the Committee in November 2021. It detailed existing strategies, engagement with the ESFA, and ongoing work to support colleges along the HS2 route.
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28 Recommendation Accepted
Seventeenth Report- HS2 Summer 2021
HS2 Ltd told us that the nature of the High Speed 2 programme means that...
HS2 Ltd told us that the nature of the High Speed 2 programme means that the work required for it will be disruptive. HS2 Ltd estimated it had handled 124,000 queries over the past three years and interacted with over … Read more
Government Response
The government accepted the recommendation and confirmed it had already written to the Committee as requested, detailing efforts on community engagement and the environment. It highlighted a decline in complaints and committed to publishing an Environmental Sustainability Progress Report and a refreshed environmental sustainability vision.
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29 Conclusion Not Addressed
Seventeenth Report- HS2 Summer 2021
In May 2021, the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman published a report that found that...
In May 2021, the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman published a report that found that HS2 Ltd had misled and failed to communicate promptly and effectively with a family whose home was being purchased to make way for the railway.68 … Read more
Government Response
The government's response addressed a separate recommendation (labelled '6') regarding community engagement and environmental issues, stating they had written to the Committee and significant improvements have been made, rather than directly engaging with conclusion #29's specific observations about HS2 Ltd's past communication failures and current engagement efforts.
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30 Conclusion Not Addressed
Seventeenth Report- HS2 Summer 2021
HS2 Ltd told us that there had already been significant activity from environmental protests at...
HS2 Ltd told us that there had already been significant activity from environmental protests at various sites along the Phase One route. Most notably, protesters tunnelled beneath land owned by HS2 Ltd at Euston. HS2 Ltd told us that this … Read more
Government Response
The government's response addressed a separate recommendation on community engagement and environmental issues, stating steps taken and improvements, rather than directly engaging with conclusion #30's specific observations about protest costs and HS2 Ltd needing more government support to manage them.
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Government Response AI assessment · 30 of 11 classified
Accepted 23
Acknowledged 5
Not Addressed 2
Total 11 recs + 19 conclusions
Correspondence 5 letters
25 Oct 2021 Correspondence from Mark Wild, CEO, Crossrail Ltd, re Crossrail progress update: Summer 2021, dated 1 October 2021
Parliament page
20 Jul 2021 Correspondence from Bernadette Kelly, Permanent Secretary, Department for Transport, re High Speed 2: Progress at Summer 2021 – further information, dated 13 July 2021
Parliament page
20 Jul 2021 Correspondence Mark Thurston, Chief Executive Officer, High Speed Two (HS2) Ltd, re High Speed 2: Progress at Summer 2021, dated 13 July 2021
Parliament page
21 Jun 2021 Correspondence from Bernadette Kelly, Permanent Secretary, Department for Transport, re Accounting Officer Assessment summary for HS2 Phase 2a, dated 16 June 2021
Parliament page
10 Jun 2021 Correspondence Mark Thurston, Chief Executive Officer, High Speed Two (HS2) Ltd, re Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman Report, May 2021, dated 28 May 2021
Parliament page