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Leeds HS2 leg ‘set to be scrapped’, Whitehall leak suggests
A government source has reportedly claimed it will "never be built in our lifetime" - but the Department for Transport denies any final decisions have yet been made
Leeds' HS2 extension looks 'set to be scrapped' according to leaks coming out of Whitehall, reports suggest this morning.
A government source has reportedly claimed the Eastern leg will "never be built in our lifetime" in a move that is intended to shave £40billion off the costs of what one Tory MP has dubbed the "hugely expensive white elephant" railway project.
Whilst the Department of Transport insists that the decision to axe the Eastern leg has not yet been made, a source told the Sunday Mirror yesterday:
'They might make some announcement about doing the work in the future but everyone involved knows the truth.
'They have run out of cash and there's no way we're going to see this built in our lifetimes.'
The leaks come in spite of the fact that the city has already started work on a new £500million station in preparation for the new line.
Officially, the Department for Transport is maintaining that a much-delayed integrated rail plan is due imminently and will 'soon' outline plans to move forward with all major railway infrastructure plans.
Northern leaders have hit back at the comments today, warning that plans to 'level up' the north will be much harder to achieve without the long-promised new rail links.
Tracy Brabin, the mayor of West Yorkshire, said: 'The government cannot talk about levelling up and a commitment to the north without addressing the decades of underinvestment across our transport networks.
'The eastern leg of HS2 is essential to providing the rail services that work for our communities, as part of a joined-up transport system that connects people to better jobs, better education, and more opportunities.'
Currently, so far the only part of the project that has been built only serves to connect London with Birmingham - cutting journey times from one hour 21 minutes to 52 minutes, according to a statement given by The Department for Transport last year.
For the second leg, it was estimated that journeys from Birmingham to Leeds would be down to 49 minutes from two hours and Manchester to London journeys would take one hour and seven minutes, cutting down travel time by an hour.
Leader of Leeds city council James Lewis said: 'I will be hugely disappointed if we are back to the drawing board.
'The constant pipeline of projects in London moving forward suggests that levelling up isn't in operation.'
However, Conservative MP for Rother Valley Alexander Stafford took a different view:
"What we need is the money invested in transport infrastructure that might actually bring a tangible benefit to seats like mine.
'We need a better bus service and better links to Manchester across the Pennines rather than a hugely expensive white elephant that is sucking resources out of areas like mine and will only benefit a tiny number of people living in central Leeds"
Elsewhere Henri Murison, the director of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, said failing to bring HS2’s western and eastern legs would see the project “undermined in achieving its full economic benefits”.
Since its initial approval in 2012, the project's total cost has reportedly risen from £32.7 billion to £107.7 billion. Northern leaders are now urging the DfT to release its much-delayed Integrated Rail Plan.
Silver's Bakehouse is finally here, and it's just as fabulous as we'd hoped.
Just when you thought Leeds’ favourite sandwich spot couldn't get any better, they go and open a bakery.
Silver's Bakehouse has opened its beautiful pastel green doors today over in Farsley to queues of excited fans eager to get their first taste.
So, what's on offer at Silver's Bakehouse?
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Well, as masterminds of the almighty sandwich you'll be happy to know you can still get one here. However, their iconic sub sarnies have had an Italian makeover and are now served in fresh, springy sourdough which is baked onsite.
Elsewhere on the menu you'll find brown butter buttermilk brownies (try saying that three times), a range of delicious cookies, sausage rolls, soft amaretti biscuits and Dark Arts tiramisu.
There's also a fab selection of Italian drinks on offer in a swanky new fridge, as well as a coffee menu so you can pick a brew to go hand in hand with your chosen baked good.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The interior is just as gorgeous, complete with yellow walls, red tiles and a mirror hanging above the baker's table so you can really see all the magic happen.
And trust us, it is magic.
There's a couple of benches outside so you can plonk yourself in the sunshine to enjoy your sarnie, which is what we'll be doing in this glorious bank holiday sunshine.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
You can really tell this is a proper labour of love, and Chris and the team have done a cracking job of keeping that Silver's spirit in there.
Go and say hello to congratulate them on this fabulous new opening, it's a great addition to Farsley and the Leeds foodie scene.
Government to slash prices of bus travel, cinema tickets and LOADS more across UK for kids this summer
Emily Sergeant
Cinema tickets, trips to the theatre and the zoo, and children’s meals out are all set to be cheaper than ever this summer.
That’s because the Government has announced its newest initiative, Great British Summer Savings, which means that from 25 June through to 1 September 2026, a temporary reduced rate of VAT – down from 20% to 5% – will be introduced on children’s meals in restaurants and family leisure activities over the summer period.
Children’s meals served in restaurants, children’s and family tickets for the cinema, theatre, exhibitions, shows, and concerts, and admission tickets – for both children and adults – to a wide range of different attractions will be eligible for the discount.
Whether you want to visit an amusement park, fairs, circuses, museums, zoos, adventure parks, soft play centre, or something similar this summer, it just got a whole lot cheaper.
This aim of this initiative is to make family days out more affordable, while also supporting businesses through increased footfall.
The Government says it will work with eligible businesses to get the scheme ‘up and running’.
The Government is slashing the prices of cinema tickets, bus travel, and LOADS more across UK for kids this summer / Credit: Artem Kniaz (via Unsplash) | Supplied
And to make it even better, this is a UK-wide initiative, so no matter where you are in England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, the reduced rate will apply.
Going one step further, there will also be free bus travel for children aged between five and 15 in England in August, helping to support families getting out and about this summer.
The Government says the Great British Summer Savings initiative supports the action it has already taken to reduce the cost of living – including cutting energy bills, freezing prescription charges, protecting motorists from fuel duty increases, and raising the minimum wage.
Businesses will be able to apply the 5% rate of VAT on eligible sales between 25 June and 1 September 2026.
Georgina Pellant -
23rd August 2021 
