Overview

This bill proposes a nationwide referendum in the UK to determine whether taxpayer funds should be used to finance the construction of the HS2 high-speed rail project. The referendum must occur before construction begins.

Description

The HS2 Funding Referendum Bill mandates a public vote on the financial support of the HS2 railway line using UK taxpayer money.

Referendum Details:

• The referendum question will be: “Do you support the use of UK taxpayers’ money to pay for the construction of the HS2 railway?”
• The vote will take place before the start of HS2 construction.
• The Secretary of State will set the referendum date with at least three months' notice, requiring parliamentary approval.
• The referendum will include a Welsh language version of the question.

Voter Eligibility:

Anyone eligible to vote in a UK parliamentary election on the referendum date can participate.

Information for Voters:

The Electoral Commission is responsible for creating and distributing an information booklet to voters, summarizing the costs and benefits of HS2 to UK taxpayers.

Government Spending

The bill will require government funding for the Secretary of State's referendum-related expenses, the Electoral Commission's costs in producing and distributing the information booklet, and any additional costs arising from the Act.

Groups Affected

The bill directly affects:

• UK Taxpayers: Their potential financial contribution to HS2 is the central issue of the referendum.
• The Electoral Commission: Responsible for organizing the referendum and producing informational materials.
• The Secretary of State: Oversees the referendum process.
• HS2 Project: The referendum outcome will directly influence its funding and future.

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