KPMG report a ‘ringing endorsement’ of HS2, says Chamber

BIRMINGHAM Chamber of Commerce Group (BCCG) has greeted KPMG’s report into the economic benefits of the HS2 high-speed rail scheme as a “ringing endorsement” of the project.

Research by KPMG, commissioned by HS2 Ltd, showed that the West Midlands regional economy would benefit from an annual boost of up to £3.1bn.

And the analysis revealed that HS2 could boost the country’s economy by £15bn a year and that the regions will be the biggest winners from the project.

Jerry Blackett, chief executive of BCCG, said: “The KPMG report is a ringing endorsement of everything those of us who support HS2 have been saying.

“Critics may say that the report is bound to be favourable because it was commissioned by HS2 Ltd. But KMPG’s work is independent from a firm of highly respected accountants whose results cannot be swayed.

“The models they use are proven and open to scrutiny and they base their figures on the latest, accepted industry modelling techniques.

“The benefits to the West Midlands economy are enormous and for the national HS2 will free up vitally needed capacity. High speed is a bonus.

“This tremendous news for the West Midlands highlights the benefits high speed rail and the additional capacity this will bring to our region.”