Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is considering whether to scrap or delay the second phase of the HS2 high-speed railway which would link Birmingham with Manchester.
Launched in 2009, HS2 was estimated to cost £37.5 billion, but that number has continued to climb, and some reports suggest the budget may now have surpassed £100 billion.
The government says it is concerned at the rising costs during the UK’s current economic situation.
As it stands, HS2 would run from Old Oak Common, in London's western suburbs, to Birmingham Curzon Street, when it begins operations between 2029 and 2033.
Report by Jonesia.
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During a visit to Bury, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak emphasised that the "only poll that matters is the poll on 4th July," downplaying concerns over current Tory poll ratings. Sunak defended his policy announcements as bold and necessary, while criticising Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer's green energy plans as lacking substance. "The British people deserve a lot more," Sunak stated, urging voters to focus on the upcoming election. Report by Covellm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Rishi Sunak bottle feeds lambs during a visit to Rowlinson's Farm, a dairy, beef and sheep farm in Gawsworth, Cheshire, while on the General Election campaign trail. Report by Covellm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Rishi Sunak has said the UK “will not hesitate” to protect British interests after the RAF carried out a fifth round of joint strikes against Houthi rebels with US forces. The prime minister said that the strikes "were taken in self-defence in the face of an ongoing threat that the Houthis pose." He continued: "We have always said that we will not hesitate to protect British interests abroad and at home." Report by Covellm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Police are appealing for information about the stolen motorbike used to shoot four people, including a nine-year-old girl, in Hackney, east London. Sky News
Footage has emerged of the moments after a shooting at an east London restaurant that left a nine-year-old girl fighting for her life and three men also injured. Sky News
Voters have been encouraged to “start saving” if they vote Labour as part of a new campaign launched by the Conservatives. The message was seen plastered on a van as it travelled through Westminster, London.
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Labour veteran Diane Abbott ignores questions from reporters about her future as she leaves an address in east London. At a rally on Wednesday evening Ms Abbott said she wanted to fight to retain her seat "as long as it is possible" and criticised decisions made by Labour to exclude candidates from the party left. Report by Blairm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
The Prince of Wales met 11-year-old Harry and his mother as he opened the Anchor Point community centre in Aston, Birmingham.
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Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund clash at Wembley on Saturday as the Champions League final brings down the curtain on the club season. Former professional footballer, Gareth Bale, expects that the game will be “tight.” Bale says that he will enjoy watching from the sidelines rather than being in the “pressure cooker.” Report by Covellm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Sir Keir Starmer says Diane Abbott is "free to go forward" as a Labour candidate in the election. Ms Abbott had the whip restored on Tuesday but media reports said she had been banned from standing as a Labour candidate at the next election. Report by Czubalam. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
The Liberal Democrats want to provide free school meals to all primary school children, in a manifesto pledge they said would be funded by a tax on share buybacks. The party said it would start by immediately extending the scheme to provide school meals to all 900,000 children living in poverty who currently miss out. Under the plan, all primary school children would be able to get free school meals once public finances stabilise. Report by Covellm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
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