High-speed spending

Published: 4th November, 2010

• I READ the spending review with relief when George Osborne pledged “…to ensure that capital projects of high, long-term economic value are funded”. 

If the government were to increase spending on capital projects, though, why were there axes poised over all the things that ensure the long-term prosperity of the majority of taxpayers? 

How is it that they could reduce capital spending socially but still expect capital spending to go up?

I went back to the review and had a look at some of the projects the government proposes increasing spending on. London Underground is to get an injection of £6bn. Network Rail is to get an injection of £14bn.

And the project set up by erstwhile transport minister Lord Adonis establishing HS2 Ltd, a company to look into the possibility of upgrading Britain’s rail network for high speed.

Why on earth has the government committed itself to the contractual obligations of the last government? 

HS2 will be a massive drain on spending. 

Although the government has reserved final judgment until early next year, transport secretary Philip Hammond announced on October 4: “We have committed to a high-speed rail network that will change the social and economic geography of Britain.” 

Seems quite final to me.

Hardworking taxpayers will have to pay. And we’ll face the destruction of 500 social homes at a time when the housing budget is reduced by 50 per cent. 

Doesn’t seem fair to me.
Rob Behan
Westbere Road, NW2