Homeworking blamed for HS2 delays

Working from home was to blame for the delays to HS2, MPs have been told. Nick Smallwood, chief executive of the Infrastructure and Projects Authority, told MPs that the change in working habits, alongside inflationary pressures, was one of the main reasons why it issued a “red rating” for the first phase of the high-speed rail link last year. The rating from the IPA, which is part of HM Treasury, indicated that it considered the project unachievable. At the same evidence session before the Treasury committee, Sir John Armitt, chair of the National Infrastructure Commission, said there was “a recognition” that the planning system for nationally significant projects was not working as well as it had when introduced. The FT (£)The Telegraph (£)