Reform UK Leader Nigel Farage says Labour should scrap HS2 (Image: Getty Images)

       Nigel Farage has urged Sir Keir Starmer to scrap HS2 immediately, warning the final cost of the beleaguered rail project could soar to ￡150billion. The Reform UK leader accused successive governments of wasting public money and failing to face up to economic reality.

       He said: “I remember when it got to ￡7billion, I said, for goodness’ sake, scrap it. We’ve now, according to the minister, got to ￡30billion. And yet I still think we should scrap it, because I think the final cost of this will be well over ￡100 – ￡150billion.”

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       UK PM Sir Keir Starmer (Image: Getty)

       The high-speed line was originally designed to link London, Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds. But the eastern leg to Leeds has already been axed, and the northern extension remains in limbo.

       Meanwhile, cost estimates have ballooned from ￡33billion to well over ￡100billion, depending on what remains of the scheme.

       Mr Farage said the entire project was built on a false economic assumption — that faster trains to the North would drive regeneration.

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       He said: “What I’d seen with the TGV in France is the opposite. Actually, when Marseille became three hours from Paris, not six, we saw firms relocating from Marseille to Paris.”

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       Speaking on GB News, Mr Farage also criticised the complete lack of private investment, arguing that the British state had no business taking on such vast infrastructure risks.

       He said: “Firstly, because it was never going to get a penny of private money and I thought British governments are bad at doing these things. Secondly, I thought the whole thing was based on the false premise.”

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       He continued: “I think we could spend that money far better, in fact a fraction of that money, upgrading railway services all over the country, for the benefit of millions of people, as opposed to some really rather well-heeled men and women going to London for the day.”

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       Mr Farage said politicians in Westminster were out of touch with the realities of financial management and risk. He said: “Here’s the argument in business: you say the first cut is the best cut, although there are not many people in Parliament who've ever run a business or would know what it’s like to take a loss.”

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       Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander told the Commons the Labour Government remained committed to the project but planned to scale down construction timelines to keep costs under control. She blamed the Conservatives for mismanagement but insisted the scheme would still go ahead.

       But Mr Farage said delaying the inevitable would only make things worse. He said: “We rarely discuss HS2, which of course is costing tens of billions and forecast to cost many tens more.”

       He added: “All through the years, I’ve campaigned against it. Why? Because it was always going to be a disaster.”