a in the projects that will make a real difference across our nation. applause hello. the uk prime minister has announced he's scrapping a major part of one of europe's biggest infrastructure projects. rishi sunak confirmed that a key leg of the h52 high ...the the line was intended to cut travel time significantly. on his way to deliver his most important speech yet, rishi sunak�*s closing address to his party conference, his chance to rally conservative supporters behind his leadership. crowds gathered early to secure their seats, crowds gathered early to secure theirseats, eagerto crowds gathered early to secure their seats, eager to hear the prime minister's pitch, with the tories far behind in opinion polls and a

row over the future of high—speed rail dominating the gathering in manchester so far, this lunchtime, the prime minister's moment to try to inspire. introduced on stage by his wife, he said his mission was to fundamentally change the country. we've had 30 years of political system. 30 years of rhetorical ambition which achieves a little more than a short—term headline. and why? because our political system is to focus on short—term advantage not long success. politicians spent a long success. politicians spent a long time campaigning for change than actually delivering it. it doesn't have to be this way. than actually delivering it. it - doesn't have to be this way. and finall , doesn't have to be this way. and finally. an _ doesn't have to be this way. and finally, an end _ doesn't have to be this way. and finally, an end to _ doesn't have to be this way. and finally, an end to the spec elation over the new high—speed rail link between manchester and birmingham. hsz between manchester and birmingham.

hs2 is the ultimate example of the old consensus. the result is a project whose costs have more than doubled, which has been repeatedly delayed and it is not scheduled to reach here in manchesterfor almost two decades. and for which the economic case has massively been weakened with the changes to business travel post pandemic. i say to those who backed the project in the first place, the facts have changed. the right thing to do when the facts change is to have the courage to change direction. applause there were promises for a new scheme of transport connections in the north of england, money for roads, trams and buses. i north of england, money for roads, trams and buses.— north of england, money for roads, trams and buses. i am cancelling the rest of the hs _ trams and buses. i am cancelling the rest of the hs to _ trams and buses. i am cancelling the rest of the hs to project _ trams and buses. i am cancelling the rest of the hs to project and - trams and buses. i am cancelling the rest of the hs to project and in - trams and buses. i am cancelling the rest of the hs to project and in its i rest of the hs to project and in its place we will reinvest every single

penny, £36 billion, in hundreds of new transport projects in the north and the midlands across the country. this means £36 billion of investment in the projects that will make a real difference across our nation. applause on health, rishi sunak says he wants to address smoking, the biggest course, he said, preventable illness and death across the country. i propose that in future, we raise the smoking age by one year, every year. applause that means a 14—year—old today will never legally be sold a cigarette and that they, and their generation, can grow up smoke—free. he outlined big changes to education for 16 to i9—year—olds. we big changes to education for 16 to 19-year-olds-_ big changes to education for 16 to 19-year-olds. we will introduce the new rigorous. _ 19-year-olds. we will introduce the new rigorous, knowledge _ 19-year-olds. we will introduce the new rigorous, knowledge rich, - new rigorous, knowledge rich, advanced british standard. this will

bring together a—levels and t levels into a new single qualification for our school leavers. this into a new single qualification for our school leavers.— our school leavers. this was a seech our school leavers. this was a speech peppered _ our school leavers. this was a speech peppered with - our school leavers. this was a speech peppered with the - our school leavers. this was a i speech peppered with the prime minister's personal experiences and reflections. my minister's personal experiences and reflections. y , ., , minister's personal experiences and reflections. g , ., , , ., minister's personal experiences and reflections. g , ., , �* , reflections. my story is a british sto . a reflections. my story is a british story- a story — reflections. my story is a british story. a story about _ reflections. my story is a british story. a story about how - reflections. my story is a british story. a story about how a - reflections. my story is a british l story. a story about how a family can go from arriving here with little to downing street in three generations. what does the conservative party offer? a family of immigrants? the chance to become energy secretary, business secretary, home secretary, foreign secretary, home secretary, foreign secretary, even the chance to become prime minister. applause rishi sunak is promising what he described as bold and radical change from within the conservative party. after 13 years in power, his gamble is that a shake—up across the board is that a shake—up across the board is enough to convince voters he can offer something different. let's take a look in more detail at the

transport project announced by the prime minister during that speech. he said he will help protect the £12 billion to link up manchester and liverpool as planned, but this won't beat with high—speed rail. there is a plan to build the midlands rail hub, connecting 50 stations and the prime minister will help the mayor of the west midlands, andy street, extend the west midlands metro. there is plans to build the leeds tram and electrify the north wales main line and upgrade the ai, tram and electrify the north wales main line and upgrade the a1, a2, a5 and the m6. the government plans to better connect our union with the a75 boosting links between scotland and northern ireland. plus, there will be funding for the shipley bypass, the bligh relief road and the government will deliver 70 other road schemes. roads across the country will be resurfaced, there is a plan to bring back the don valley line and upgrade the energy coastline between carlisle and

workington and barrow. finally, the prime minister pledged to keep the £2 bus fare cap across the country. let's explore more about what the prime minister has announced today and go live to nick yardley who is there in manchester for us at the conference. when we spoke little bit earlier, we talked about what it would take for the prime minister to announce to appease people unhappy at the loss of hs2 leg and to silence his critics, do think what he has announced has done any of that? i he has announced has done any of that? ., �* 4' he has announced has done any of that? ., �* ~ ., , , . that? i don't think he was silence all of his critics, _ that? i don't think he was silence all of his critics, absolutely - that? i don't think he was silence all of his critics, absolutely not, l all of his critics, absolutely not, there has orally been some response from some northern leaders, elected labour leaders at the moment, saying that this is a betrayal of the north and it shows the government isn't taking transport infrastructure in the north as seriously. i must say, speaking to some people in the transport industry, they say, yes, some of these new schemes the government is going to fund are a good idea. but they are not totally buying it yet because of the fact

that this hs2 leg between birmingham and manchester has just been pulled. the trust there seems to be pretty low. i want to bring in someone who has campaigned for a while against hsz. has campaigned for a while against hs2. penny, how much money has been wasted by not making this decision earlier? , ., , ., , , , earlier? tens of billions, but they would spend _ earlier? tens of billions, but they would spend an _ earlier? tens of billions, but they would spend an awful— earlier? tens of billions, but they would spend an awful lot - earlier? tens of billions, but they would spend an awful lot more i earlier? tens of billions, but they - would spend an awful lot more money building _ would spend an awful lot more money building the reach rest of hs to if they hadn't cancelled it today. we think_ they hadn't cancelled it today. we think it _ they hadn't cancelled it today. we think it is — they hadn't cancelled it today. we think it is a — they hadn't cancelled it today. we think it is a long time that they should — think it is a long time that they should have made this decision a while _ should have made this decision a while 59°~ — should have made this decision a while ago. we are really disappointed they are carrying on with phase one, we think the judge should _ with phase one, we think the judge should have gone out to a review. they— should have gone out to a review. they have — should have gone out to a review. they have tens of billions of pounds they can _ they have tens of billions of pounds they can now spend on alternative transport — they can now spend on alternative transport projects across the north of england. we have said very long while _ of england. we have said very long while that— of england. we have said very long while that if you don't spend all that money on hsz, you have money you can _ that money on hsz, you have money you can spend on projects that benefit — you can spend on projects that benefit more people more quickly. hold on. _

benefit more people more quickly. hold on, there is a counterargument thatis hold on, there is a counterargument that is quite strong which is that the capacity between manchester and birmingham and london is pretty poon birmingham and london is pretty poor. it takes too long, there are a lot of delays. if you are here today you're not going to get a train at all because the train drivers are on strike. wouldn't that extra capacity have had a potentially transformational effect for this part of the country? if it transformational effect for this part of the country?— part of the country? if it was ca aci part of the country? if it was capacity they _ part of the country? if it was capacity they wanted, - part of the country? if it was capacity they wanted, they l part of the country? if it was - capacity they wanted, they would have designed hsz very differently. it have designed hsz very differently. it was _ have designed hsz very differently. it was all— have designed hsz very differently. it was all around speed, shaving a few minutes of a journey to london. it few minutes of a journey to london. it has _ few minutes of a journey to london. it has not _ few minutes of a journey to london. it has not a — few minutes of a journey to london. it has not a lot of connectivity with _ it has not a lot of connectivity with the — it has not a lot of connectivity with the rest of the country, it does _ with the rest of the country, it does nothing for the east west links — does nothing for the east west links the _ does nothing for the east west links. the hsz idea is that he wanted — links. the hsz idea is that he wanted to— links. the hsz idea is that he wanted to go from manchester to leeds, _ wanted to go from manchester to leeds, you go down to birmingham and then up— leeds, you go down to birmingham and then up to _ leeds, you go down to birmingham and then up to leeds. that's a ridiculous— then up to leeds. that's a ridiculous idea. you want the east west— ridiculous idea. you want the east west links — ridiculous idea. you want the east west links to improve for transport. which _ west links to improve for transport. which seems to be what is happening now. in terms of rishi sunak, do you think he personally has wasted tens of billions of pounds by not making this decision as chancellor? i

of billions of pounds by not making this decision as chancellor?- this decision as chancellor? i think he probably _ this decision as chancellor? i think he probably was — this decision as chancellor? i think he probably was a _ this decision as chancellor? i think he probably was a bit _ this decision as chancellor? i think he probably was a bit hamstring i he probably was a bit hamstring because — he probably was a bit hamstring because borisjohnson quite clearly was very— because borisjohnson quite clearly was very fond of it. you can tell that— was very fond of it. you can tell that because when he did his independent review, he called the former_ independent review, he called the former chair of h52 limited. so it wasn't _ former chair of h52 limited. so it wasn't really an independent review then _ wasn't really an independent review then you _ wasn't really an independent review then. you had tony barclay, deputy chair— then. you had tony barclay, deputy chair of— then. you had tony barclay, deputy chair of that — then. you had tony barclay, deputy chair of that panel, and he resigned and produced a dissenting review and he has _ and produced a dissenting review and he has probably been on some of your programme _ he has probably been on some of your programme is criticising hsz. so, i don't _ programme is criticising hsz. so, i don't know— programme is criticising hsz. so, i don't know that rishi sunak had a chance _ don't know that rishi sunak had a chance to — don't know that rishi sunak had a chance to do it much earlier. we do know— chance to do it much earlier. we do know that _ chance to do it much earlier. we do know that the figures that are coming — know that the figures that are coming out to h5 to limited our astronomical. we do know that he wanted _ astronomical. we do know that he wanted to— astronomical. we do know that he wanted to keep the costs of face two hidden _ wanted to keep the costs of face two hidden until after hsz got royal assent — hidden until after hsz got royal assent. we think there is a massive waste _ assent. we think there is a massive waste in_ assent. we think there is a massive waste in hsz, we think they are really— waste in hsz, we think they are really bad — waste in hsz, we think they are really bad company to work with. the prime really bad company to work with. iia: prime minister has really bad company to work with. "iia: prime minister has now really bad company to work with. i“ia: prime minister has now said really bad company to work with. iia: prime minister has now said he is cancelling the rest of it, the birmingham to manchester line and some of the eastern leg which was

still going ahead. thank you so much come to speak to us, penny, from the stop hs2 campaign. that is one of the views we are going to hear this afternoon. there is the counterargument which is that this is no good for the north and that this was a big infrastructure project that would have benefited people here. certainly, some political leaders in the north of england are less than happy. we will have to see what the responses from some of those conservatives who, so far, i've been holding their counsel. far, i've been holding their counsel-— far, i've been holding their counsel. ., ,, �*, counsel. nick, thank you. let's get more reaction _ counsel. nick, thank you. let's get more reaction about _ counsel. nick, thank you. let's get more reaction about the _ counsel. nick, thank you. let's get more reaction about the future - counsel. nick, thank you. let's get more reaction about the future of. more reaction about the future of the h52 more reaction about the future of the hs2 rail link. frances read is at euston which is the designated terminus in london and judith moritz is at manchester piccadilly. let's start with you, francis, what has today's announcement from the prime minister brought to businesses there who have been in limbo for some time? ., �* , who have been in limbo for some time? , , time? that's right. i suppose it is the end of— time? that's right. i suppose it is the end of the _ time? that's right. i suppose it is the end of the line _ time? that's right. i suppose it is the end of the line confirmation l the end of the line confirmation that euston will be the end of the

line for hs2 because, of course, that was in doubt, wasn't it? we weren't sure if that was going to be confirmed west of london, some six miles away, because that had been on the cards for a while. people talking about whether that could be a possibility, but no, it will be used in. that is a possibility for businesses here. the end of the line for any hopes that it would extend to manchester and euston being the main hub that you will know from coming to manchester to london, for anyone that does that's route, that'll be a disappointment for many. very much, this idea that hs2 was the old consensus as rishi sunak put it, also suggests this move away from assuming that london is the place that everybody in the north wanted to get to. i think some people have been speaking about that quite a lot, this idea of investing in roads, the idea investing in east to west rail lines as well, instead of down here to london. putting that as a priority over getting hit at euston. there is a lot of people i have spoken to today from the north

who really agree with that, actually. so, it is not the only opinion, there are many opinions around that and people have said thatis around that and people have said that is also important and they agree with some of those decisions, although that is not the only opinion. now, of course, rishi sunak confirmed that euston would be the terminus for that. good for businesses here, but he also set out plans for euston, as well, for homes, businesses also better capacity at the station. we heard nick talking about is that there are, big importance while also cutting costs and crucially, the hs2 management tier will no longer run the project. we have also spoken to people, though, here who are really angry about this, angry about the backtracking of the decisions. angry about the money that has been wasted and angry that they are not going to get the line all the way up to my that they thought they were going to get. that they thought they were going to i et, ., . , that they thought they were going to .et. ., . , ., ~' that they thought they were going to iet_ ., ., ., that they thought they were going to get. francis, thank you. let's go now to my _ get. francis, thank you. let's go now to my colleague _ get. francis, thank you. let's go

now to my colleague judith - get. francis, thank you. let's go | now to my colleague judith moritz now to my colleaguejudith moritz was at manchester piccadilly. judith, the question was what alternative was going to be offered for people who felt that the scrapping of the hs2 leg was a betrayal of the north. how do you feel the reaction has been towards what has been announced? weill. feel the reaction has been towards what has been announced? well, it is mixed, to what has been announced? well, it is mixed. to be — what has been announced? well, it is mixed, to be honest, _ what has been announced? well, it is mixed, to be honest, because - what has been announced? well, it is mixed, to be honest, because there l mixed, to be honest, because there are those i have spoken to here, not many because it is a quite day at piccadilly because we are in the middle of yet another train strike today. the passengers i have spoken today. the passengers i have spoken to of trains here with the degree of weary resignation having struggled across the network already and then to be met with questions about the state of hs2 and the announcement that the government has made, quite a few of them rolled their eyes and said to me simply, don't get me started talking about trains. when you get into the detail of what is being offered here instead of hs2, the reason i say it is mixed is

because i have spoken to people who are genuinely pleased to hear about are genuinely pleased to hear about a range of more local, smaller schemes. the devil is in the detail. the case that people are still working through the question of how much of this is genuinely new, how much of this is genuinely new, how much of this is genuinely new, how much of it is new money, how much of it has been announced before and we now have more detail on? across the piece, people say to me here that they really struggle getting from east to west. that they really need to be able to get easily across the pennines, across from liverpool to manchester but then over the pennines to yorkshire and that is a battle for anyone who has tried to do it, it is really difficult. the trains are a constant nightmare and so one after another, they have said to me here, that is where we want the money to go. we are disappointed, some have said, about hsz but disappointed, some have said, about hs2 but we need to see proof that what is being offered instead is going to happen. more than one person has said to me, we will

believe it when we see it. judith, thank you- _ believe it when we see it. judith, thank you- i _ believe it when we see it. judith, thank you. i just _ believe it when we see it. judith, thank you. i just want _ believe it when we see it. judith, thank you. i just want to - believe it when we see it. judith, thank you. i just want to bring i believe it when we see it. judith, l thank you. i just want to bring you some news that we have had through. staying with the subject of hs2. the male of the west midlands, andy street has said he will carry on as mayor and remain a member of the conservative party. you might be wondering why that is noteworthy, it is because not that long ago, there was a question over whether he would stay or whether he would be on the brink of resignation, as some in government feared, because as the conservative mayor of the west midlands, he had been very critical about the fact that the leg of the h52 about the fact that the leg of the hs2 line from the west midlands to manchester was to be scrapped and he was very critical of it. furious at the decision but now we have seen that news coming through just in the past couple of minutes that he will carry on as mayor and remain as a member of the conservative party, that coming through after rishi sunak�*s speech. i have some more

breaking news for you. gb news, the news channel, has ended its employment relationship with presenters laurence fox and calvin robinson. that has come in through the past few minutes. both the presenters were suspended last week. this is a tweet you are seeing on your screen at the moment, the tweet posted from gb news where it confirms its decision to end its employment relationship with the presenters laurence fox and calvin robinson. they were suspended last week, it says, pending internal investigations that have now concluded. you may well remember that that was to do with a conversation, a discussion, they had on air regarding a female journalist and it says as of today, gb news has ended its employment relationship

with laurence fox and calvin robinson. let us return to our main story about hs2 and preparations for the h52 story about hs2 and preparations for the hs2 line to manchester brought disruption to many, with the huge amounts of land and property purchased. it will, without doubt, be a release to some that it will not go ahead but it is no denying that investment on better rail links in the north of england are desperately needed and our corresponded danny savage has been looking at why. the cheshire countryside. hs2 was going to run through here, but now the plan has been axed. the preparations for it, though, will have a lasting effect for years. though, will have a lasting effect for ears. , ., , for years. there is a felt tip line auoin for years. there is a felt tip line going down _ for years. there is a felt tip line going down our— for years. there is a felt tip line going down our drive _ for years. there is a felt tip line going down our drive and i for years. there is a felt tip line going down our drive and a i for years. there is a felt tip line | going down our drive and a note saying, we think your property may be affected. saying, we think your property may be affected-— saying, we think your property may be affected. houses on the planned route were bought _ be affected. houses on the planned route were bought and _ be affected. houses on the planned route were bought and emptied. i be affected. houses on the planned i route were bought and emptied. there will be never scars on the landscape, but there will be on people's lives. it

landscape, but there will be on people's lives— landscape, but there will be on --eole's lives. . , , ., people's lives. it has been a decade of hell. i never— people's lives. it has been a decade of hell. i never thought _ people's lives. it has been a decade of hell. i never thought that - of hell. i never thought that something could define my life as much as this in everything in terms of losing our home, my livelihood, my business. of losing our home, my livelihood, my business— of losing our home, my livelihood, m business. , . ., , my business. this man had his family farm purchased _ my business. this man had his family farm purchased for— my business. this man had his family farm purchased for the _ my business. this man had his family farm purchased for the scheme. i my business. this man had his family farm purchased for the scheme. the | farm purchased for the scheme. the process took a decade and it was all for nothing. i process took a decade and it was all for nothing-— for nothing. i did put a phone call in sa in, for nothing. i did put a phone call in saying. i— for nothing. i did put a phone call in saying, i would _ for nothing. i did put a phone call in saying, i would be _ for nothing. i did put a phone call in saying, i would be interested l for nothing. i did put a phone call| in saying, i would be interested in buying it back. but the fact is that they have spent tens of millions developing the engineering route for this railway and that will always come up on a search so this area, and all the way down england, like a scar. this will blight properties and features forever because it will always come up is the place that hs2 will be built. iunlith always come up is the place that h52 will be built-— will be built. with the scrapping of hs2 to will be built. with the scrapping of h52 to the north _ will be built. with the scrapping of h52 to the north comes _ will be built. with the scrapping of h52 to the north comes the i will be built. with the scrapping of. h52 to the north comes the concern hs2 to the north comes the concern that the existing victorian rail infrastructure listing east and west willjust have to do for many years yet. will 'ust have to do for many years et. ~ ., . ~ will 'ust have to do for many years et. . . . ~' , ., will 'ust have to do for many years et.~ . . will 'ust have to do for many years et. . . a i. ., ., yet. whatever ticket you have now, ou will yet. whatever ticket you have now, you will get — yet. whatever ticket you have now, you will get a _ yet. whatever ticket you have now, you will get a refund _ yet. whatever ticket you have now, you will get a refund for _ yet. whatever ticket you have now, you will get a refund for it. - yet. whatever ticket you have now,

you will get a refund for it. along i you will get a refund for it. along with notoriously _ you will get a refund for it. along with notoriously unreliable i with notoriously unreliable services. monday evening, working in manchester all day today, due to get the 6:30am train across the pennines. so we have the next one, it is now broken down midway between manchester and huddersfield. the train crawled off and then blocked the line because of a faulty set of points. the line because of a faulty set of oints. g; ~ . the line because of a faulty set of oints. 5: ~ ., ., ., ., the line because of a faulty set of -oints. 5; ~ . ., ., ., ., points. £364 a month to go from leeds to manchester. _ points. £364 a month to go from leeds to manchester. do - points. £364 a month to go from leeds to manchester. do you i points. £364 a month to go from j leeds to manchester. do you get value for money? _ leeds to manchester. do you get value for money? no, _ leeds to manchester. do you get value for money? no, not - leeds to manchester. do you get value for money? no, not at i leeds to manchester. do you get value for money? no, not at all. | value for money? no, not at all. what's the _ value for money? no, not at all. what's the other _ value for money? no, not at all. what's the other option, - value for money? no, not at all. what's the other option, i i value for money? no, not at all. what's the other option, i drive l value for money? no, not at all. i what's the other option, i drive and get stuck on the m60 to four hours if there is a crash? i get stuck on the m60 to four hours if there is a crash?— if there is a crash? i think it should have _ if there is a crash? i think it should have always - if there is a crash? i think it should have always gone i if there is a crash? i think it i should have always gone from birmingham to magister and then do the east—west part, manchester and leads, _ the east—west part, manchester and leads, the _ the east—west part, manchester and leeds, the difference in travel when you come _ leeds, the difference in travel when you come up north is so different to how it _ you come up north is so different to how it is _ you come up north is so different to how it is down south. it you come up north is so different to how it is down south.— how it is down south. it did seem slihtl how it is down south. it did seem slightly ridiculous _ how it is down south. it did seem slightly ridiculous that _ how it is down south. it did seem slightly ridiculous that they i slightly ridiculous that they invested _ slightly ridiculous that they invested all— slightly ridiculous that they invested all this _ slightly ridiculous that they invested all this money i slightly ridiculous that they invested all this money in i slightly ridiculous that they - invested all this money in improving london _ invested all this money in improving london to— invested all this money in improving london to birmingham _ invested all this money in improving london to birmingham which - invested all this money in improving london to birmingham which has. invested all this money in improving i london to birmingham which has never been a _ london to birmingham which has never been a problem — london to birmingham which has never been a problem particularly _ london to birmingham which has never been a problem particularly and - london to birmingham which has never been a problem particularly and now. been a problem particularly and now they're _ been a problem particularly and now they're going — been a problem particularly and now they're going to _ been a problem particularly and now they're going to have _ been a problem particularly and now they're going to have this— they're going to have this high-speed _ they're going to have this high—speed line - they're going to have this high—speed line between| they're going to have this- high—speed line between london they're going to have this— high—speed line between london and birmingham — high—speed line between london and birmingham and _ high—speed line between london and birmingham and like _

high—speed line between london and birmingham and like lots _ high—speed line between london and birmingham and like lots of- high—speed line between london and birmingham and like lots of other. birmingham and like lots of other aspects, — birmingham and like lots of other aspects, the _ birmingham and like lots of other aspects, the north— birmingham and like lots of other aspects, the north is— birmingham and like lots of other aspects, the north is left- birmingham and like lots of other aspects, the north is left behind. j aspects, the north is left behind. leeds— aspects, the north is left behind. leeds had — aspects, the north is left behind. leeds had its— aspects, the north is left behind. leeds had its hsz _ aspects, the north is left behind. leeds had its hsz plans- aspects, the north is left behind. leeds had its hsz plans scrappedj aspects, the north is left behind. i leeds had its hsz plans scrapped a leeds had its hs2 plans scrapped a while ago. to see the manchester leg disappear to leaves advocates of the plan fuming. i’m disappear to leaves advocates of the plan fuming-— plan fuming. i'm not angry for me, i'm an plan fuming. i'm not angry for me, i'm angry for _ plan fuming. i'm not angry for me, i'm angry for my — plan fuming. i'm not angry for me, i'm angry for my kids. _ plan fuming. i'm not angry for me, i'm angry for my kids. people i plan fuming. i'm not angry for me, i'm angry for my kids. people here j i'm angry for my kids. people here in the north of england and £8,000 a year less than their counterparts in london and the south—east and that is because we have lower productivity and you and i, danny, have been stuck on trains enough times to know that unreliability as well as a long journey times and poor frequency is a significant issue for the north's economy. northern business leaders have talked about little else since the scrapping of hs to north was recently mooted. to scrapping of hs to north was recently mooted.— scrapping of hs to north was recently mooted. scrapping of hs to north was recentl mooted. ., . . . recently mooted. to have a line that was meant — recently mooted. to have a line that was meant to _ recently mooted. to have a line that was meant to be _ recently mooted. to have a line that was meant to be north _ recently mooted. to have a line that was meant to be north to _ recently mooted. to have a line that was meant to be north to central. was meant to be north to central line london and now doesn't go is a failure of what was set out under is the final nail in the coffin for levelling up. the final nail in the coffin for levelling up-_ the final nail in the coffin for levelling up. millions has been sent on levelling up. millions has been spent on buying _ levelling up. millions has been spent on buying land - levelling up. millions has been spent on buying land and i levelling up. millions has been i spent on buying land and property for hs2 and the north. what now for

rail transport in the region? danny savage, bbc news, cheshire. let's turn to another of the aspects mentioned in rishi sunak�*s speech. the prime minister says his main funding priority in every spending review from now on will be on education. ii review from now on will be on education-— review from now on will be on education. ., ., . ., education. if we want to change the direction of — education. if we want to change the direction of our _ education. if we want to change the direction of our country _ education. if we want to change the direction of our country and - education. if we want to change the direction of our country and build i education. if we want to change the direction of our country and build a | direction of our country and build a better future, direction of our country and build a betterfuture, nothing is more important than making our education system the best it can be. when our party came to power in 2010, our schools were slipping down international league tables. now, they are rapidly rising. of what we have done in government since 2010, what i am proudest of is our record on education. what i am proudest of is our record on education-— on education. let's look into this more with _ on education. let's look into this more with our— on education. let's look into this more with our education - on education. let's look into this more with our education editor. | more with our education editor. a—levels potentially being replaced, what were some of the standout aspects of rishi sunak�*s speech for you? aspects of rishi sunak's speech for ou? ., , ., . .,

aspects of rishi sunak's speech for ou? ., you? the most radical proposal was to totally overhaul _ you? the most radical proposal was to totally overhaul education - you? the most radical proposal was to totally overhaul education for i you? the most radical proposal was to totally overhaul education for 16| to totally overhaul education for 16 to totally overhaul education for 16 to 19—year—olds in england. ultimately, that would involve replacing a—levels and the new technical t levels, which are equivalent to three of the academic a—levels, with one new qualification called the advanced british qualification. in which, students would also be expected to study a wider range of subjects, bringing england far more into line with international standards. so, everyone would do maths and english up everyone would do maths and english up to the age of 18. the hours of study would be significantly increased for those college students and, importantly, they would be able to mix vocational and academic subjects. you could imagine that you could potentially receive this qualification with three major academic subjects and two minor vocational ones or the other way round. the idea being that it gives them the same status going forward,

whether you are going to go on into university, apprenticeships or indeed into work.— university, apprenticeships or indeed into work. . «i indeed into work. thank you, we will be sta in indeed into work. thank you, we will be staying with _ indeed into work. thank you, we will be staying with this _ indeed into work. thank you, we will be staying with this story _ indeed into work. thank you, we will be staying with this story but - be staying with this story but first, let's go now to an interview carried out with andy street who is the mayor of the west midlands. an exclusive interview by our political editor chris mason. have a listen now. andy street, you are the conservative mayor of the west midlands, the prime minister has just announced the scrapping of hs to north of your region. x�*t�*aur to north of your region. your reaction? — to north of your region. your reaction? obviously, - to north of your region. your reaction? obviously, very. reaction? obviously, very disappointed that he announced that today. as you know, ifought for disappointed that he announced that today. as you know, i fought for it today. as you know, i fought for it to be maintained, ifought valiantly on behalf of my region so of course disappointed. but, rememberthe line is going to run from euston to hans eko where it willjoin the west coast main line so compared to what could have happened, this is a good, most position. you could have happened, this is a good, most position-—

most position. you went in to see the prime — most position. you went in to see the prime minister _ most position. you went in to see the prime minister yesterday, i most position. you went in to see the prime minister yesterday, to l the prime minister yesterday, to lobby him right up to the last minute? , ., lobby him right up to the last minute? , . , , minute? yes i had because as i imlied, minute? yes i had because as i implied. i— minute? yes i had because as i implied, i really _ minute? yes i had because as i implied, i really did _ minute? yes i had because as i implied, i really did believe i minute? yes i had because as i | implied, i really did believe that it is the right thing to do to have a line that provides a spine through the whole of the country and also ask him to consider the offer for the private sector to think about how we deliver this well. you have heard the priming is to say today, and this is an important thing that he said, that he would welcome working with me on improving those further links between birmingham and manchester. that is a good thing to be offered today. haifa manchester. that is a good thing to be offered today.— be offered today. how was that meetin , be offered today. how was that meeting, tense, _ be offered today. how was that meeting, tense, cordial? i be offered today. how was that meeting, tense, cordial? with| be offered today. how was that i meeting, tense, cordial? with the prime minister _ meeting, tense, cordial? with the prime minister it _ meeting, tense, cordial? with the prime minister it is _ meeting, tense, cordial? with the prime minister it is always - meeting, tense, cordial? with the prime minister it is always very i prime minister it is always very cordial, he is above all else a very courteous man actually and i think he would say we had a difference of opinion. but you know, in politics it is a good thing to have that robustly objectively based on fact. some you win, some you lose, but there is a bigger picture here which is about the revival of the west midlands and, of course, rail will continue to play a critical role in that. , , ., .

continue to play a critical role in that. , ., ., , that. did you leave on good terms, shake hands? _ that. did you leave on good terms, shake hands? yes. _ that. did you leave on good terms, shake hands? yes. he _ that. did you leave on good terms, shake hands? yes. he and - that. did you leave on good terms, shake hands? yes. he and i- that. did you leave on good terms, shake hands? yes. he and i are i that. did you leave on good terms, i shake hands? yes. he and i are both very courteous. _ shake hands? yes. he and i are both very courteous, principled _ shake hands? yes. he and i are both very courteous, principled people. i very courteous, principled people. we come from not the similar business backgrounds so of course we did. he has reached out today to say you didn't get what you want, i acknowledge that, but we will work together. on thinking about how links further north can still be improved. links further north can still be improved-— links further north can still be imroved. ., ., ., ., ., improved. you fought a passionate cam aiun, improved. you fought a passionate campaign. a _ improved. you fought a passionate campaign, a vociferous _ improved. you fought a passionate campaign, a vociferous campaign, | improved. you fought a passionate - campaign, a vociferous campaign, and you have lost. i campaign, a vociferous campaign, and you have lost-— campaign, a vociferous campaign, and you have lost._ where - you have lost. i have lost. where does that leave _ you have lost. i have lost. where does that leave you _ you have lost. i have lost. where does that leave you politically, . does that leave you politically, will you carry on as mayor? i will, es. i will you carry on as mayor? i will, yes- i don't _ will you carry on as mayor? i will, yes. i don't actually _ will you carry on as mayor? i will, yes. i don't actually see _ will you carry on as mayor? i will, yes. i don't actually see a - yes. i don't actually see a difficulty between those two things because i do think it is right that mayors can do this more than mps, that you should stand up, particularly when something is really important to your region. we have not lost at all, we have a compromise. this line will still run from euston to the west coast main

line is, even people in glasgow will benefit from this line and two weeks ago, there was talk of a white elephant between old oak common and curzon elephant between old oak common and cu rzon street elephant between old oak common and curzon street only. this is not a 1-0 curzon street only. this is not a i—o loss. curzon street only. this is not a 1-0 loss. ~ curzon street only. this is not a 1-0 lose— curzon street only. this is not a 1-0 loss. ~ , ., ., ., , 1-0 loss. will you remain a member ofthe 1-0 loss. will you remain a member of the conservative _ 1-0 loss. will you remain a member of the conservative party? - 1-0 loss. will you remain a member of the conservative party? i - 1-0 loss. will you remain a member of the conservative party? i will. . 1-0 loss. will you remain a member of the conservative party? i will. i l of the conservative party? i will. i have never— of the conservative party? i will. i have never said _ of the conservative party? i will. i have never said i _ of the conservative party? i will. i have never said i was _ of the conservative party? i will. i have never said i was considering | have never said i was considering resigning. lots ofjournalists had set it to be very vociferously. we asked, set it to be very vociferously. we asked. you _ set it to be very vociferously. we asked, you didn't answer the question! i asked, you didn't answer the question!— asked, you didn't answer the cuestion! �* . ., , ., question! i didn't! of course i have thouuht question! i didn't! of course i have thought about _ question! i didn't! of course i have thought about it. _ question! i didn't! of course i have thought about it. there _ question! i didn't! of course i have thought about it. there will- question! i didn't! of course i have thought about it. there will be - thought about it. there will be people who say i should resign. there will be people who will be disappointed in my decision. you . ive disappointed in my decision. you cive it disappointed in my decision. you give it serious _ disappointed in my decision. you give it serious thought to quit as mayor? give it serious thought to quit as ma or? ., . , give it serious thought to quit as ma or? ., ., , ., ., mayor? no, i was never going to quit as ma or. mayor? no, i was never going to quit as mayor- i — mayor? no, i was never going to quit as mayor- i did _ mayor? no, i was never going to quit as mayor. i did question _ mayor? no, i was never going to quit as mayor. i did question whether- mayor? no, i was never going to quit as mayor. i did question whether i i as mayor. i did question whether i should continue as a member of the conservative party and i have decided that i will continue for a very clear reason. i have always been a conservative. for 42 years, one issue does not define your membership of the party. if you look at what the conservatives are doing as a team across the west midlands, it is much deeper than one issue.

will you stand as the conservative candidate in the male elections next year? candidate in the male elections next ear? . , , , ., year? that entirely depends on whether the — year? that entirely depends on whether the party _ year? that entirely depends on whether the party chooses - year? that entirely depends on whether the party chooses me | year? that entirely depends on i whether the party chooses me to year? that entirely depends on - whether the party chooses me to be the candidate. d0 whether the party chooses me to be the candidate.— whether the party chooses me to be the candidate._ i - whether the party chooses me to be | the candidate._ i would the candidate. do you to be? i would like to be. there _ the candidate. do you to be? i would like to be. there are _ the candidate. do you to be? i would like to be. there are many _ the candidate. do you to be? i would like to be. there are many things - like to be. there are many things that we have achieved across the west midlands with conservatives. housing provision, improvement and qualifications, transport investment that has come in. all of those things make up our offer to citizens as well, of course, is championing the region. as well, of course, is championing the region-— the region. you want to be the conservative _ the region. you want to be the conservative candidate - the region. you want to be the conservative candidate to - the region. you want to be the conservative candidate to be l the region. you want to be the l conservative candidate to be the mayor of the westminster for another term? , . ., ,. ., term? yes, and i intend as part of that to make _ term? yes, and i intend as part of that to make good _ term? yes, and i intend as part of that to make good on _ term? yes, and i intend as part of that to make good on the - term? yes, and i intend as part of that to make good on the offer- term? yes, and i intend as part of. that to make good on the offer that the prime minister has put today to invest a lot more money in transport invest a lot more money in transport in the west midlands and to look at further links between birmingham and the rest of the west midlands and to the rest of the west midlands and to the north. he put that off out very clearly today. the north. he put that off out very clearly today-— clearly today. you have been very clearly today. you have been very clear both — clearly today. you have been very clear both in _ clearly today. you have been very clear both in your— clearly today. you have been very clear both in your intentions - clearly today. you have been very clear both in your intentions and i clear both in your intentions and your reaction, how difficult a decision was it to continue as a member of the conservative party? there you are is the proud

ambassador of your region, fighting ambassador of your region, fighting a passionate campaign and losing and losing and seeing a conservative prime minister stand up and ignore you. prime minister stand up and ignore ou. ., ., ., prime minister stand up and ignore ou. ., ., ., , prime minister stand up and ignore ou. ., ., ., you. no, that word is not right, chris. you. no, that word is not right, chris- you _ you. no, that word is not right, chris. you can't _ you. no, that word is not right, chris. you can't say _ you. no, that word is not right, chris. you can't say ignore - you. no, that word is not right, | chris. you can't say ignore when you. no, that word is not right, - chris. you can't say ignore when we have had a number of meetings and actually, compared to where we were and where we now are, it is very different. ., ., ,~' and where we now are, it is very different. ., ., ., and where we now are, it is very different-— different. you asked for h52 to car on different. you asked for h52 to carry on as _ different. you asked for h52 to carry on as was _ different. you asked for h52 to carry on as was prime - different. you asked for h52 to carry on as was prime minister| different. you asked for h52 to - carry on as was prime minister said no. . carry on as was prime minister said no, ., carry on as was prime minister said no. . �* ., ., no. on that part, the birmingham to manchester — no. on that part, the birmingham to manchester bit, _ no. on that part, the birmingham to manchester bit, i'm _ no. on that part, the birmingham to manchester bit, i'm not _ no. on that part, the birmingham to manchester bit, i'm not bluffing - manchester bit, i'm not bluffing anybody, i lost. manchester bit, i'm not bluffing anybody, ilost. but manchester bit, i'm not bluffing anybody, i lost. but the debate was much broader than that. the debate was actually about euston, where it finished in the midlands, how it connected north and it was actually about how we're going to execute this going forward. of course, we we have also heard today that other investment in the west midlands which we have been separately lobbying for and we have achieved that. it is not i—o, but i acknowledge the fundamental debate of this week, i lost. tell]! acknowledge the fundamental debate of this week, i lost._ of this week, i lost. tell me about the wrestle _ of this week, i lost. tell me about the wrestle in _ of this week, i lost. tell me about the wrestle in your— of this week, i lost. tell me about the wrestle in your own _ of this week, i lost. tell me about the wrestle in your own mind - of this week, i lost. tell me about | the wrestle in your own mind about coming to thejudgment the wrestle in your own mind about coming to the judgment you have that you want to stay in the conservative

party, that you want to stand again? where the dark nights of the soul around that? the where the dark nights of the soul around that?— where the dark nights of the soul around that? the first thing to say is i didn't arrive _ around that? the first thing to say is i didn't arrive in _ around that? the first thing to say is i didn't arrive in manchester - is i didn't arrive in manchester thinking that was even going to be the debate! until recently, there has been absolutely no question about that. it has been over this one issue. i think that perhaps illustrates something in the answer, the answer is much deeper than one issue. it is about where my principles come from, what i think we have been able to achieve together. the reconciliation is really to say, do i believe that i can work with the prime minister across the board was mike and i definitely do and i genuinely feel, although the meetings we didn't agree on that point, i genuinely feel they were respectful and he talked today about that respect as well and that is why i believe it is the right thing to do, in the interest of my citizens across the west midlands. it would be easy to walk away, but by walking away, you don't actually achieve anything for

the people who elected me. were you considering whether to stay a member of the party was watching the speech today? ila. a member of the party was watching the speech today?— the speech today? no, i was considering _ the speech today? no, i was considering it _ the speech today? no, i was considering it before - the speech today? no, i was considering it before that. i the speech today? no, i was l considering it before that. was the speech today? no, i was - considering it before that. was it when ou considering it before that. was it when you saw — considering it before that. was it when you saw him _ considering it before that. was it when you saw him yesterday - considering it before that. was it| when you saw him yesterday that considering it before that. was it - when you saw him yesterday that you came to your final conclusion? it was when we finished the negotiation. thank you. that was an exclusive interview with the west midlands mayor andy street with chris mason. let's go to nick eardley who was listening. next, just want to really sampling about what was said about andy street not that long ago, just a few hours ago. our own chief political correspondent said, andy street is furious at the decision, the cancellation of hs2�*s northern leg. he didn't sound very furious in that interview. does this seem