Sunak Scraps Part of HS2, Raises Tobacco Age in Policy Shakeup
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Rishi Sunak has scrapped the HS2 high-speed rail project from Birmingham to Manchester, saying "the facts have changed".
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The HS2 line from the West Midlands to London Euston will still go ahead. Nearly £4bn will be invested in other transport projects in the North instead.
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Sunak announced plans to raise the age for buying tobacco annually so eventually no one can buy cigarettes.
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He proposed combining A-Levels and T-Levels into a new "Advanced British Standard" qualification for school leavers.
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In his speech, Sunak drew comparisons to Margaret Thatcher and promised a new approach, conceding the public wants change after 13 years of Conservative rule.