Ministers are poised to give the green light to the controversial £106billion HS2 rail project after Chancellor Sajid Javid came off the fence to back it. Downing Street yesterday insisted the final decision on HS2 would not be made at today's meeting, with the Prime Minister expected to consult the Cabinet next week. Mr Johnson yesterday told MPs the Government was still 'looking into whether and how to proceed with HS2'. In the Commons, the Prime Minister said a decision on HS2 would be made 'very shortly'. Meanwhile Mr Johnson and Mr Javid were last night reported to have demanded all Cabinet ministers draw up cuts of 5 per cent to their departments despite promising an end to austerity.

Source: Daily Mail January 29, 2020 22:07 UTC