Embargoed: 00:01 Sunday 17 May 2020
Responding to the report by the Public Accounts Committee on High Speed 2 (HS2), Harry Fone grassroots campaign manager at the TaxPayers' Alliance said:
"Grossly overpaid HS2 bosses are taking the public for a ride, refusing to take responsibility and ultimately being rewarded for failure.
"Since day one HS2 has over-promised and under-delivered, but this report has revealed a wilful disregard for accountability, transparency and, worst of all, taxpayers' money.
"The government should have used the current crisis to slam on the brakes, put a pause on the HS2 gravy train and subjected top execs to proper scrutiny. Those who continue to underperform should be handed their P45s."
TPA spokesmen are available for live and pre-recorded broadcast interviews via 07795 084 113 (no texts)
Media contact:
Harry Fone
Grassroots Campaign Manager, TaxPayers' Alliance
24-hour media hotline: 07795 084 113 (no texts)
Notes for editors:
- Founded in 2004 by Matthew Elliott and Andrew Allum, the TaxPayers’ Alliance (TPA) fights to reform taxes, reduce spending and protect taxpayers. Find out more about the TaxPayers' Alliance at www.taxpayersalliance.com.
- TaxPayers' Alliance's advisory council.
- In February 2017 the TPA estimated the cost of HS2 at between £90.8 billion and £99.9 billion.
- The TPA launched The Great British Transport Competition to find alternative transport infrastructure projects that deliver better value for money.
- In January, TPA chief executive John O'Connell wrote a letter to the prime minister laying out that the eventual costs of HS2, including associated expenditure and rolling stock, may be closer to £150 billion.