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Sunak: I am cancelling the rest of the HS2 project

Rishi Sunak has confirmed reports that the HS2 project will not run between Manchester and Birmingham.

But the PM told his party conference that he would "reinvest every single penny" from the cancelled scheme, which he says is £36 billion pounds, in hundreds of new transport projects in the North and the Midlands, and across the country.

Sunak pledges billions for northern transport as he axes HS2 line

4 October 2023

Conservative Party

High Speed Rail

Northern Powerhouse Rail

Conservative Party Conference

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Angela Rayner at the dispatch box in the Commons at PMQs

PMQs: Deputies clash over latest inflation figures

Man in blue suit with green tie which has green and blue diagonal stripes. In the foreground is the back of a student's head

Pub bombings: 'These people deserve to be remembered'

Birmingham & Black Country

Sir Keir Starmer at PMQs in the Commons.

Watch: PM and Badenoch react to Trump's victory at PMQs

Leading Tory party 'is the most enormous honour'

Rishi Sunak wearing a blue suit and a grey tie, standing in the Commons

Sunak on Budget: Broken promise after broken promise

Sir Keir Starmer at PMQs

Starmer thanks Sunak for hard work, commitment and decency

Christian Wilson sitting down on brown sofa, smiling

'When I heard my new voice, I cried for five minutes'

Baron Mackinlay of Richborough in formal robes shaking hands in the House of Lords.

'Bionic lord' takes up seat in Parliament

Exterior of Euston Station in 1969

When Euston Station was shiny and new

Boris Johnson wearing a suit and headphones speaking into a mic in a BBC radio studio

Watch: Fiery exchange as Boris Johnson asked if he is a 'liar'

Former BBC news presenter Kay Alexander looks at the camera wearing a white polo neck sweater with her chin resting on her hand

'I filmed for TV news minutes after giving birth'

People on edge of lake with model yachts on the water

Setting sail with city's model boat lovers

Birmingham & Black Country

Betty Cowley who has short blonde hair and stands in front of designs showing the past around The Roundhouse. She wears a multi-coloured scarf above a grey top with a white floral design

Volunteers keen to showcase landmark building

Birmingham & Black Country

Keir Starmer an PMQs

PMQs heats up as leaders clash over winter fuel payments

Woman next to white van which offers showers

Shower van helps Birmingham's homeless

Former homeless and tour guide Andy holds guided trips around Manchester

Former homeless man becomes city centre tour guide

A Manchester woman sitting outside at a restaurant wears a grey t-shirt and talks into a BBC microphone

‘Ow much? Oasis fans react to homecoming gig prices

Former Conservative MP David Duguid

David Duguid: 'Tories made wrong call dropping me'

A man plays a guitar on stage

'We witnessed history' - video of Oasis's last gig in 2009

Undated handout photo issued by West Midlands Police of one of the dogs police want to trace

Watch: On the hunt for dogs suspected of killing man

Birmingham & Black Country

Lindsay Hoyle dragged by both arms

Watch: Moment Speaker dragged to Commons chair

In a traditional part of the process, the successful candidate pretends to be reluctant to take up the role.

Correspondent Ben Chu

Quick take on Labour's energy plan

BBC Verify's Ben Chu on what to make of Labour’s plans to decarbonise UK electricity production.

Chris Mason and Mark Logan

Watch: Former Tory MP says he is backing Labour

The former Conservative MP for Bolton North East has told the BBC he now supports Labour.

Factory workers in Milton Keynes

Watch: Party leaders on the campaign trail

Political party leaders have been out and about campaigning ahead of the general election.

Keir Starmer

I want the highest quality candidates - Starmer

The Labour leader says he wants the "highest quality" candidates to put to the voters.

Carla Denyer

Greens launch campaign target of 'at least four' MPs

The Green Party of England and Wales launch their election campaign in Bristol.

Faiza Shaheen talking on BBC Newsnight

Labour candidate says she's been blocked from standing

Faiza Shaheen says she's was told she will not be Labour's candidate after allegedly liking antisemitic posts on X.

Rishi Sunak

Rishi Sunak tells Chris Mason: Yes, I am changing minds

The PM tells the BBC's political editor he is "thoroughly enjoying" himself out meeting voters in the election campaign.

Sir Keir Starmer wearing a suit and a brown tie

Not true Abbott barred from standing - Starmer

The Labour leader says no decision has been taken to bar Diane Abbott.

Keir Starmer

Starmer pleased Rayner has been 'vindicated'

Labour's leader says he always had confidence in his deputy with the row over her council house sale.

Ed Davey falls from a paddle board

Going, going, gone: Ed Davey takes a dip in Windermere

The Liberal Democrats leader was paddle boarding on Lake Windermere in the Lake District.

Rishi Sunak

Watch: PM criticises Sir Keir Starmer's campaign speeches

The prime minister accused Labour's Sir Keir Starmer of "not having the courage" to tell voters about Labour ideas.

Nigel Farage

Labour and Tories are both 'social democrats', says Farage

Nigel Farage was speaking in Dover, as part of his campaign for Reform UK.

Sir Keir Starmer

Starmer asked if there's a 'lack of enthusiasm' for Labour

Labour leader Keir Starmer is pressed on whether there's a perceived lack of enthusiasm for his party.

Rachel Reeves

Reeves: No return to austerity under Labour

The shadow chancellor is quizzed on her economic plans should Labour win the general election.

Rishi Sunak

Sunak 'disappointed' smoking ban bill did not get through

The PM says he "stepped up to do something that is bold" over his bid to phase out smoking.

Craig Mackinlay MP

Watch: Limb loss MP on his return to Parliament

Craig Mackinlay says he was met by "a storm" of noise when he returned to the House of Commons

Rishi Sunak

Oops! Sunak asks if Welsh are looking forward to Euros

On a campaign trip, the PM asks voters if they will watch the football tournament, even though Wales did not qualify.

Richard Tice

Tories 'terrified' of Reform Party - Richard Tice

The Reform Party leader says Rishi Sunak "bottled it" over calling a surprise general election for July.

Sir Keir Starmer

A vote for Labour is a vote to stop the chaos - Starmer

On the first full day of election campaigning the Labour leader says "nothing will change" if the Conservatives get back into power on July 5.