HS2 northern leg 'not possible to do' says Sir Keir Starmer

Sir Keir Starmer says his party will not revive the northern leg of HS2 as the government has "blown the budget"

Sir Keir Starmer says his party will not revive the northern leg of HS2 if they win the next general election.

In October Prime Minister Rishi Sunak confirmed the high speed rail link between Birmingham and Manchester would not be built.

The Labour leader says he "can't stand here and commit to reversing" the government's decision.

Sir Keir told BBC North West Tonight it was "not possible to do HS2" as the government had "blown the budget".

"Contracts are going to be cancelled," he said.

But, Sir Keir said: "It does not mean that we won't have a plan for transport in the North West, desperately needed.

He says Labour are "committed" to Northern Powerhouse Rail.

"I want that designed and built in the North and therefore I'm talking to Andy Burnham and Steve Rotheram about what are the needs of the people in the North West so that the plan can actually deliver what works for them," he added.