Keir Starmer<\/a> is set to announce plans to build a new railway line between Birmingham and Manchester, the Independent understands, just over two years after the HS2 expansion was scrapped. <\/a><\/p>\n Rishi Sunak<\/a> cancelled building the high-speed network between the two cities in October 2023<\/a> in order to save money. <\/p>\n But now ministers are expected to set out plans as they confirm proposals for new and improved rail links across the North of England, as part of a scheme known as Northern Powerhouse Rail<\/a> (NPR). <\/p>\n open image in gallery<\/p>\n The move is set to come three years after HS2 was cancelled (AFP\/Getty)<\/p>\n The moves come as Labour tries to see off the threat of Nigel Farage\u2019s Reform,<\/a> with Sir Keir\u2019s at risk of losing dozens of parliamentary seats across the north of England at the next general election. <\/p>\n Mr Farage\u2019s deputy Richard Tice has said that a Reform government would axe any high-speed rail schemes earmarked for the north. <\/p>\n With Labour trailing Reform in the polls, the party hopes that delivering on issues like public services and infrastructure can help it woo disgruntled voters in constituencies across the area. <\/p>\n Sir Keir has promised people across Britain will feel “positive change” this year, amid growing questions over his premiership and speculation he will face a leadership challenge after difficult elections in May. <\/p>\n Before he became prime minister Sir Keir said he could not promise a Labour government would reverse the government\u2019s decision to scrap HS2, despite calls for a pledge from Labour\u2019s Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham.<\/a><\/p>\n His comments came after Mr Sunak was criticised by two former prime ministers, David Cameron<\/a> and Boris Johnson<\/a>, for cancelling the rail link north to Manchester.<\/p>\n And the National Audit Office warned that the scrapping of HS2 would cost \u00a3100m and take up to three years. <\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/GettyImages-2234053388.jpeg\")
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