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Wales: Labour can't commit to HS2 funding share, MP says

PA Media HS2 trainPA Media
This is what the new HS2 trains could look like when they go into service

Labour will not commit to extra funding for Wales after the second leg of HS2 high speed rail line was scrapped.

It had been classified as an England and Wales project because north Wales was deemed to be served by a stop at Crewe station.

Due to devolution rules, Scotland and Northern Ireland got funds as a result of HS2, with similar calls in Wales.

Shadow Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens said a Labour UK government would "work out" Wales' transport needs.

The Cardiff Central MP would not be drawn on whether Wales would receive a share of the money spent on the London to Birmingham route, like the other UK nations if Labour win the next general election.

Under the so-called Barnett formula that is estimated to be worth £2bn from the first leg of the project.

"It's not our position as the opposition to be able to say what Barnett consequential should be," said Ms Stevens.

"We will work hand-in-hand with ministers in the Welsh government to work out what the needs for Wales are in terms of transport," she told BBC Politics Wales on Sunday.

"We will be putting the interests of the Welsh travelling public and people who travel cross border absolutely in first place."

On Thursday, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced £1bn would be provided to electrify the north Wales main line following his decision to scrap the second leg of the HS2 high speed rail line between Birmingham and Manchester.

Labour has been buoyed by winning a seat from the SNP in the Rutherglen and Hamilton West by-election, with Ms Stevens claiming "we can win in all parts of the country".

However, party leader Sir Keir Starmer's allies have been accused of purging the party of those on the left.

Corbyn-supporting Beth Winter MP has been calling for a review of the way the candidate for the new constituency of Merthyr Tydfil and Upper Cynon was selected after she missed out to Gerald Jones.

Ms Stevens said the process was fair and members had "made their decision".

"The members in that new constituency participated in the highest numbers that we've seen and they made their choice. Sadly for Beth, she came second," said Ms Stevens.