So, What Went Wrong with HS2?
The aim of this Productivity Insights Paper, written by Professor Graham Winch of The Productivity Institute and the Alliance Manchester Business School, is to learn lessons and ensure that the mistakes are never repeated. For the analysis the paper draws on a review of published sources – especially National Audit Office Value for Money Reports – and attendance at a Westminster Forum conference in November 2023, shortly after the announcement of the cancellation. The initial conclusions of this analysis were presented at the Chief Executive Officer’s dinner, at which leading players in HS2 over the last 20 years were present, organised by the Major Projects Association under Chatham House rules in January 2024.