Businesses in every UK Region share £11.5bn of HS2 contract awards

THE scale of the economic boost created by HS2 is laid bare today, with new figures showing that thousands of UK businesses have won contracts to support the high-speed line's construction. Latest quarterly data shows that over £11.5bn worth of tier 2 contracts have been awarded by HS2's construction partners to businesses of all sizes, in every UK Region.

The figures underline the extent to which investment in the high speed line continues to flow back into the UK economy, helping to create new jobs even in Regions not directly on the line of the new railway.

Since 2016, the Midlands has won £2.68bn worth of contracts, eclipsed only by Greater London, where many company HQs are situated, with £3.16bn. Over £1.9bn has been won by businesses in the south east, and firms in the north have received a combined share of £1.69bn.

Contracts linked to building the high speed network are expected to continue for at least 5 more years, stimulating new business for the 3,000 UK based suppliers already providing goods and services, with the chance for more to join them.

Major civils contracts for the flagship Stations in Old Oak Common, Solihull and Birmingham have been awarded, but new opportunities will stem from the extensive fit out programmes. The year ahead will also see a shift away from HS2's civils dominated works to planning for the integration of rail systems, unleashing a raft of work packages for companies in the tech, digital and rail sectors.

Andrew Cubitt, HS2's Procurement and Supply Chain Director said:- "High speed rail is well established across Europe, but there's untapped potential here in the UK. Successful businesses diversify, and that's exactly what we need companies on our doorstep to do. A broader scope of contracts is coming down the line, so this is the time for firms in the rail, tech and digital sectors to start engaging with HS2."

Small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs); companies with 250 or fewer employees -have been quick to capitalise on the expansion potential that HS2 brings, securing £4.5bn worth of work.

In the East of England, Suffolk based SME, Regal Tanks, is just 1 of the suppliers to have benefitted from a share of £1.3bn in awards.

Neil Alger, Managing Director of Regal Tanks said:- "For a small company like ours to be selected as the main industrial storage tank supplier for HS2 is huge. And it's not only boosted our business, our supply chain is reaping the benefits too. One of our manufacturers' entire production line is now filled with HS2 orders for the next year. It's a challenge, but everyone has stepped up, as we all want to play a part in HS2."

New business opportunities are also set to be created as Hitachi/Alstom intensifies its search for suppliers to support the interior fit out of HS2's fleet of high speed trains. With manufacturing and maintenance already set to bring new jobs to County Durham, Derby and Crewe, suppliers across the country are encouraged to register now for the opportunities ahead.

Companies of all sizes, across the UK, are encouraged to register their interest in winning work with HS2 and its contractors by registering their details on CompeteFor. For information and advice about becoming an HS2 supplier, read HS2's Supplier Guide.

The full Regional breakdown of contract awards is as follows:-

• Region Value awarded (tier 2) to July 2023.
  

• West Midlands £2.043bn.
  

• East Midlands £0.643bn.
  

• Midlands £2.687bn.
  

• North East £827m.
  

• Yorkshire and Humberside £411m.
  

• North West £459m.
  

• North £1.698bn.
  

• Greater London £3.165bn.
  

• South East £1.920bn.
  

• South West £266m.
  

• East of England £1.332bn.
  

• Wales £179m.
  

• Scotland £137m.
  

• Northern Ireland £140m.
  

• UK wide £11.5bn.

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Damien Moore MP welcomes the 2nd Cost of Living payment from the Government for 12,100 vulnerable households across Southport

DAMIEN Moore MP has welcomed the arrival of the 2nd Cost of Living Payment worth:- £300 for 12,100 vulnerable and lowincome households across Southport from the:- 31 October 2023, as part of the Government's record £94 billion Cost of Living support package.

8 million households across the UK in receipt of eligible means tested benefits, such as Universal Credit, Pension Credit, or tax credits, will benefit from the second of 3 Cost of Living Payments totalling:- £900 in:- 2023 to 2024. These payments help low income and vulnerable families affected by rising prices driven by Putin's illegal war in Ukraine and the aftermath of the Covid19 Pandemic.

This latest payment builds on the Cost of Living payments made last year worth up to £1,200, and form part of the Government's record financial support for the most vulnerable, worth an average of £3,300 per household.

The payment will be made automatically so there is no need to apply, and it will not count towards the benefit cap or impact on existing benefit awards.

Further support will also be made available for vulnerable households later this winter. Winter Fuel Payments have been boosted again this year with an additional £300 Pensioner Cost of Living Payment.

In addition, nearly 3 million low income households are eligible for a:- £150 rebate on their winter electricity bills through the Warm Home Discount, and the Cold Weather Payment is coming into effect from:- 1 November 2023 to provide eligible households an extra £25 a week when the temperature drops below zero degrees for more than 7 days.

The Conservative Government is taking immediate steps to support hardworking families with the cost of living, while working to halve inflation and taking the long term decisions that are in the best interests of the country.

Damien Moore, Member of Parliament for Southport said:- "I welcome the additional £300 Cost of Living financial support payment to assist 12,100 of our most vulnerable households and communities across Southport, as part of the Government's £94 billion Cost of Living support package. From providing the £150:- 'Warm Home Discount,' the £300:- 'Winter Fuel Payment,' or the £2 billion:- 'Household Support Fund,' I will continue to campaign for additional financial support to relieve the significant Cost of Living Payments affecting our most vulnerable households and communities."

Mel Stride, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, said:- "Tackling inflation is the best way to boost people's incomes, but as we work to halve it, we are protecting the most vulnerable households from high prices with this latest Cost of Living payment. Thousands of Work Coaches based in Jobcentres across the country are on hand to help people find work or enhance their skills, and I encourage anyone wanting to strengthen their finances and unleash the benefits of work to contact their local Jobcentre to see what help is available."