HS2 rail plan economic claims examined by think tank

There was "little to no proof" the HS2 high speed rail plan would boost the economy or bridge the north-south divide, the New Economics Foundation think tank has reported.

And the foundation's David Tice said the money would be better spent on other things as there were better value for money projects around that would benefit more people more quickly.

The HS2 plan is set to be built between London and Birmingham initially, and then expanded to the East Midlands, Yorkshire and Manchester.

HS2 rail debate: MPs Cheryl Gillan and Stuart Andrew

Watch more clips of films and interviews, the Sunday Interviews with Andrew Neil, our soapbox films, or 'like' us on Facebook, external page; 'follow' us on Twitter, external or see full programmes from the last seven days via BBC iPlayer