Cameron defends HS2 plans
PRIME Minister David Cameron has insisted that investment in the UK’s infrastructure is vital and dismissed a suggestion that a high speed rail link to Yorkshire is a “Westminster village pipe-dream”.
Responding to a question from the floor during a visit to a Yorkshire manufacturing yesterday, Mr Cameron pointed to the levels of transport investment ongoing at present in the region as a sign that HS2 would be delivered.
“We don’t see HS2 as a pipe-dream,” responded Mr Cameron following a question from Andrew Mason of property group Newmason Properties about the construction of a line that would reduce journey times between Leeds, Sheffield and London but one that will not be delivered for 20 years.
“I see it as a simple choice. The rest of the world has already got on the high speed rail express.”
The Prime Minister, who made a speech on the economy during a visit to high precision grinding machine business Cinetic Landis near Keighley earlier today, said the “really important” infrastructure investment would have a “transformative effect” on the country.
During his speech, which had been heavily trailed, Mr Cameron said the Coalition Government would not steer from its course of improving the budget deficit, helping people become better off and improving the UK’s competitiveness.
He hailed companies like Cinetic Landis, which employs 420 people and has turnover of £85m.
“This is exactly the type of of business Britain needs more of,” he said.
Mr Cameron said the Government dismissed those who believe it should spend more and borrow more “as if they think there’s some magic money tree”.
Business Secretary Vince Cable used a recent article to suggest the Government should consider borrowing more to kick-start economic growth.
“Last month’s downgrade was the starkest possible reminder of the debt problem we face,” he added. “If we don’t deal with it interest rates will rise, homes will be repossessed and businesses will go bust and more and more taxpayer’s money will be spent just paying off the interest on our debts.”
Turning to progess made by the Coalition, Mr Cameron said there were signs its plan was working with the biggest deficit in peacetime history down by a quarter, interest rates at near record lows and the number of exports increasing.
He added: “Of course, these signs of progress are just the beginning of a long, hard road to a better Britain. But the very moment when we’re just getting some signs that we can turn our economy round and make our country a success is the very moment to hold firm to the path we’ve set.”
