"Levelling up? My a***": Andy Burnham's reaction to reports Manchester leg of HS2 could be scrapped

Rishi Sunak - widely expected to announce the axing of the Manchester leg of HS2 - will criticise decades of politicians making 'the easy decision, not the right one' when he takes to the stage at the Conservative Party Conference in the heart of the city.

Andy Burnham has reacted with fury after reports HS2 trains will come to Manchester - but on 'normal tracks'. Sky News tonight reported that Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has decided to drastically alter the northern leg of the high-speed rail project to save money, effectively scrapping the high-speed stretch to Manchester.

Rishi Sunak laughed after he was grilled by Susanna Reid about 'letting down the people of Manchester' amid reports he is planning to axe the northern HS2 leg.

A Conservative Party conference fringe event quickly descended into chaos as an anti-Brexit activist was chucked out following a scuffle. Steve Bray, a campaigner wanting to reverse the UK's withdrawal from the EU, walked into The Bruges Group's meeting as it began.

Russell Brand is facing an investigation by a second police force over allegations of stalking and harassment.

This is an opinion letter and does not necessarily represent the views of the Manchester Evening News.

Boris Johnson has said delaying or cutting the HS2 route to Manchester would be a 'betrayal' of the North of England.

An independent inquiry into the treatment of women and girls in Greater Manchester Police custody has issued an open appeal for others to come forward and share their experiences.

Security is being tightened in Manchester city centre ahead of the Conservative Party conference, which starts this weekend.

Controversial cuts proposed at two fire stations in Greater Manchester have been scrapped, with plans to increase cover in the city centre set to go ahead. Plans to stop manning Sale and Offerton stations at night were proposed as part of a review by Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS).

The future of HS2 rail to Manchester hangs in the balance, with the north set to lose out once again after being promised so much.

Manchester Airport has called for the HS2 rail line to be built in full as promised - from London to Manchester.

Business leaders have laid bare the staggering impact axing the northern leg of the HS2 rail line to Manchester would have on the city-region's economy.

The Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, has been warned he is 'risking the cohesion' of the country over HS2, as Labour mayors including Andy Burnham said axing the high-speed rail route to Manchester would result in 'international embarrassment and a national outrage'.

Five Labour mayors including Andy Burnham have warned failure to deliver in full on HS2 would 'leave swathes of the North with Victorian transport infrastructure unfit for purpose'.

Sixty businesses have backed Andy Burnham's plans for technical education which the government has branded 'narrow' and 'unequal'. Microsoft, Heinz and the BBC are among the big employers to sign up to the mayor's scheme.

Andy Burnham today apologised for 'teething problems' on the first working day of Greater Manchester's new bus system, but insisted by and large the launch has gone well.

Political leaders have told the Prime Minister scrapping HS2 rail to Manchester would have 'massive ramifications' on the city region and the north west as a whole.

The mayor of Greater Manchester has said he will personally write to the Prime Minister and urge him to not scrap HS2.

The launch of bus franchising today - putting power back into the hands of the people over operators - heralds the start of the Bee Network in Greater Manchester.