Their promises have been broken... we've been let down once

IN 2014, George Osborne stood in the Power Hall of the Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester as he made his infamous Northern Powerhouse speech.

- JOSEPH TIMAN

Speaking as chancellor, he described HS2 as a 'vital investment, which would 'change the economic geography of the country' as he set out a vision for a new high-speed railway line connecting the cities across the North of England.

When she was prime minister, Theresa May reaffirmed the government's commitment to delivering the whole of the second phase of HS2 which included a new line between Birmingham to Manchester via Crewe.

Her successor, Boris Johnson said he supported the multi-billion scheme too, despite how difficult the decision may be, because it would 'deliver prosperity to every part of the country!

But yesterday, Rishi Sunak has broken those promises - axing the Northern leg of HS2. After weeks of speculation, the prime minister used his Conservative Party Conference speech in Manchester to announce the line would not reach the city.

He claimed 'every penny' of the £36bn saved will be reinvested in 'hundreds' of transport projects in the North and the Midlands. However, some of the projects he listed were already in the pipeline, while other schemes were scrapped when he was chancellor.

As the details of the newlybranded Network North emerge, political and business leaders say Mr Sunak's announcement has left them with more questions than answers.

The last few weeks which has seen government ministers repeatedly refuse to confirm reports that the second phase of HS2 would be scrapped has caused uncertainty in Greater Manchester's economy and beyond.

Yesterday's announcement does not put an end to the uncertainty. According to the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, Northern businesses have won £1.7bn worth of HS2 construction contracts with 17,500 jobs set to be created in the North West.