LOCAL firms will benefit from “all aspects” of the £33 billion construction of a high-speed rail line from Leeds to London, the Transport Secretary has said.
Patrick McLoughlin told MPs he recently visited the north of England to meet with businesses pressing to win some of the huge construction and maintenance contracts which will be on offer as work starts to get underway on HS2.
The Government came under fire in 2011 after awarding its last major train-building contract to German firm Siemens, ahead of Bombardier, which has a large plant in Derby.
Coalition Ministers blamed the way the previous Labour Government had drawn up the contract. They have since expressed their desire that UK firms be given a better chance of winning future deals.
However, the UK remains bound by EU competition laws, which prevent member states from unfairly favouring domestic firms over foreign rivals.
Speaking in the Commons, Keighley MP Kris Hopkins said the Government must “ensure the financial benefits flowing from the pre-construction phase (of HS2) will be felt along the length of the line - particularly among firms in West Yorkshire, which are ready, willing and very able to assist.”
And Mr McLoughlin said: “I am aware many companies up there are interested in all phases of HS2... I can assure (Mr Hopkins) we will be looking at ways to involve British business in all aspects of the programme.”
All parties are keen to maximise the employment benefits of HS2, which will be one of the largest construction projects undertaken in decades.
Labour wants HS2 to be used to create 33,000 apprenticeships - one for every £10,000 spent.
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