HS2: Is the UK bad at big infrastructure projects?

When it was first given the go-ahead back in 2012, Britain's new high-speed rail line connecting the south, the Midlands and the north of England was predicted to cost £32.7bn. <br /><br />Now, after delays and inflation fuelled by Brexit, Covid and the invasion of Ukraine, this figure is closer to £100bn. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has also avoided answering questions on whether the Birmingham to Manchester leg of the route will go ahead, leaving the future of the project shrouded in uncertainty. <br /><br />So why was the initial cost estimate so different to what the final number will be? <br /><br />On the Sky News Daily, Niall Paterson sits down with our business correspondent Paul Kelso to discuss the problems with the way the UK plans major infrastructure projects and asks whether any of these projects ever come close to what they are predicted to cost. <br /><br />While we've got you... please take a few moments to let us know your thoughts on our podcasts and your listening preferences by filling in a short survey - click <a href="https://news.sky.com/podcastsurvey" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">here</a>.<br /> <br /><br />Senior podcast producer: Annie Joyce <br />Interviews producer: Melissa Tutesigensi <br />Podcast promotion producer: Jada-Kai Meosa John <br />Archive researcher: Simon Windsor <br />Editor: Paul Stanworth