Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has officially cancelled "the rest of" the HS2 project, with the line now stopping at Birmingham. 

Speaking at the annual Tory conference, the Prime Minister said: "I am cancelling the rest of the HS2 project and in its place we will reinvest every single penny [£36 billion] in hundreds of new transport projects."

This announcement was met from cheers and applause from the conference audience in Manchester. 

Mr Sunak continued: "Every region outside of London will receive the same or more government investment than they would have done under HS2, with quicker results".

This news has been welcomed by Stoke-on-Trent MPs, Jack Brereton, Jonathan Gullis and Jo Gideon. 

Rishi Sunak offically cancelled the HS2 project in the North yesterday, meaning the line will now stop at Birmingham (HS2).

Jack Brereton MP, Stoke-on-Trent South said: "It is fantastic that the Prime Minister has listened to our calls for Phase 2 of HS2 to be cancelled and money reinvested in local and regional transport across North Staffordshire which would deliver far greater benefits and dramatically improve people's lives. 

"This will mean we can still deliver high speed rail services to Stoke-on-Trent but will ensure projects that will transform opportunities locally like reopening Meir Station, upgrading Junction 15 of the M6 and upgrading the A500/A50 corridor will be prioritised."

Jonathan Gullis MP added: "The cost of HS2 has spiralled out of control rapidly with costs now three times higher than estimated in 2009. That's why the Prime Minister is right to prioritise improving rail, road and bus networks in the North and Midlands with £36 billion of targeted investment into hundreds of infrastructure projects across the region.  

"This will make a real difference and allow cities like Stoke-on-Trent to be better connected to towns and cities in the North and Midlands and compete with London and the South East."

The news that HS2 money will be reinvested in Stoke-on-Trent has been welcomed by welcomed by MPs Jack Brereton, Jonathan Gullis and Jo Gideon (Nub News).

Jo Gideon MP, Stoke-on-Trent Central said: "I am delighted that the money freed up from the cancellation of the Birmingham to Manchester phase of HS2 has been repurposed to specifically benefit areas like Stoke-on-Trent. 

"After the hard work of your three Stoke-on-Trent MPs working with Karen Bradley to prove the feasibility of restoring the Stoke-Leek Line. This is a great result that will make a real long-term difference to communities around the city and Staffordshire Moorlands."

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