UNIONS urged ministers yesterday to convene an “emergency summit” to secure the delivery of HS2 as Prime Minister Rishi Sunak wavered over scrapping the rail project’s Birmingham to Manchester leg.

The heads of the TUC, Aslef, GMB, RMT, TSSA and Unite unions, in a joint statement, said key stakeholders must urgently be brought together to help get the delayed and over-budget project back on track.

They said delivering the northern leg of HS2 could create more than 17,000 construction jobs in north-west England, with the potential to double the economic output of Greater Manchester by 2050.

“These huge economic benefits must not be squandered because of ongoing Conservative incompetence,” they said.

“Ministers must urgently convene an emergency summit that brings together HS2, key contractors, trade unions and mayors in the devolved authorities.

“This is the best way to find a solution that will deliver the benefits for commuters, business and for communities in the country. And to ensure that HS2 secures and creates good, unionised jobs and adds value to UK supply chains.”

They added: “The UK already trails much of Europe when it comes to high-speed rail infrastructure.  

“We are being left behind and it’s communities across the north and the Midlands that will pay the price.

“Workers and business want a government committed to a proper industrial strategy.

“But the Tories’ constant chopping and changing shows complete disregard for economic development, levelling up and any long-term planning.

“Axing the second leg of HS2 would further undermine confidence in the UK’s ability to undertake and complete large-scale infrastructure projects.

“There are no viable alternatives to resolve the capacity crisis on our railways – HS2 must go ahead in its entirety.”

Mr Sunak denied that people feel betrayed by his wavering over the future of HS2 during a round of radio interviews yesterday.

Asked whether he would be betraying the north by curtailing the high-speed rail line, he replied: “No. I think what people will see, I mean particularly around where we are – my home is in Northallerton – we’re investing record amounts in improving infrastructure but also delivering levelling up.”

A government spokesman said: “The HS2 project is already well underway with spades in the ground and our focus remains on delivering it.”