Labour minister rows back on previous position on HS2

Appearing to read from a script, the life peer added: “Heavy rail is reserved in Wales, so that any heavy rail scheme the department delivers should always be classified as England and Wales when the formula is applied, which includes HS2.

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Being disadvantageous... I think what's changed is that this government has decided to commit a very significant amount of money to rail enhancements in Wales.

Pressed further, he added: “I'm a realist and pragmatist,’ reiterating claims of a change in context since 2023 with UK ministers announcing significant investments in Wales.

Asked whether Wales has received “fair and reasonable” investment in rail infrastructure, Lord Hendy said: “This government recognises that railways in Wales have recently, historically, seen very low levels of enhancement spending.

“That's why we've worked really hard with the current Welsh Government to put that right”