Grant Shapps faced discontent in the Commons over the government’s plans to scrap the eastern leg of HS2 between Leeds and the East Midlands.

Announcing £96 billion of new funding, the transport secretary said: “The HS2 track would not have reached the East Midlands and the North until the early 2040s.”

Clearly, a rethink was needed”.

Shadow transport secretary Jim McMahon expressed disgust at the government’s updated plans: “He promised that the North would not be forgotten. But he hasn’t just forgotten us, he’s completely sold us out.”

The HS2 line currently planned between London, Birmingham and Manchester will still go ahead.