Scrap HS2 for our help on taxes, Tory MPS tell leadership

RISHI SUNAK faces a rebellion over plans to raise taxes after a senior Tory warned she will not back them unless the government scraps HS2.

Esther Mcvey, the former work and pensions secretary, said the new highspeed rail route was an “unnecessary vanity project”. She told MPS it was clear the Government’s financial difficulties were caused by “overspending” rather than “under-taxing”.

Ms Mcvey warned Dominic Raab at Prime Minister’s Questions not to ask Conservative MPS to support any tax rises unless the project was scrapped.

Last night another former Cabinet minister, Jacob Rees-mogg, said he hoped Jeremy Hunt would scrap HS2. The Chancellor is expected to announce a range of tax rises and spending cuts in his Autumn Statement today.