HS2 creates 20,000 jobs after one year of construction
HS2 Ltd has announced that over 20,000 people are now working on the project, one year on from the Prime Minister announcing the formal start of construction on Phase One from London to the West Midlands.
The high-speed railway's latest employment figures demonstrate the crucial role that HS2 is playing in the UK 's economic recovery, with work having continued throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.
Companies right across the country are now forming part of HS2 's ever growing supply chain and contracts have already been awarded to over 2,200 businesses, 97 per cent of which are UK-based.
A further £25bn worth of opportunities are expected to flow out into the wider supply chain over the coming years.
Transport secretary Grant Shapps MP, said: “While there have been some issues with the project in the past, hitting the landmark of 20,000 jobs underlines the unstoppable momentum HS2 now has.
“It 's been an incredible year of progress as work continues across the country to deliver a new backbone of Britain 's transport network, fit for the 21st century and beyond.
“Reaching this landmark is testament to the hard work and dedication of all those involved in the project. ”
By providing work for tens of thousands of people in the UK, HS2 is helping the country to build back better after Covid-19, as part of the government 's Plan for Jobs.
HS2 's jobs boost is also benefitting those in need, with bespoke initiatives designed to upskill local people who are out of work with the training and accreditation they need to secure a job on HS2. 1,100 individuals who were formerly unemployed have now secured sustainable employment on HS2, and that number is expected to increase in the months and years ahead as the pace of major construction work increases and HS2 's journey extends north.
Mark Thurston, chief executive of HS2 Ltd, said: “We 're enormously proud of the progress we 've made on HS2 since the Prime Minister gave us the go-ahead last year, and despite the challenges of the pandemic. We 've already launched our first two tunnelling machines, with more to launch in the coming months, and construction of our stations and depots are well underway.
“HS2 is moving forward, creating jobs, enhancing skills, benefiting UK businesses and building a low carbon, high capacity railway that will change the way we travel in Britain. ”
Commenting on the achievement, Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce CEO Henrietta Brealey explained what the delivery of HS2 will ultimately mean for the region.
She said: “Reaching this milestone offers further tangible proof of the catalytic impact that HS2 is having on the UK economy and the vital role it will play in powering a jobs recovery as we emerge from the pandemic.
“Here in Greater Birmingham we 've witnessed first hand the transformative effect HS2 is having on job creation, supply chain opportunities, upskilling local talent and attracting new investment.
“As we 've consistently made the case throughout the lifetime of the project, delivering HS2 in full will play an essential part in rebalancing our economy, bringing the Levelling Up Agenda to life and creating prosperity across all four corners of the country. ”