Newscast - Sunak ends Tory Conference (and HS2 to Manchester)

Sunak ends Tory Conference (and HS2 to Manchester)

Download Sunak ends Tory Conference (and HS2 to Manchester)

In his first Conservative conference speech as prime minister, Rishi Sunak confirms the Manchester leg of HS2 is to be scrapped. In its place, a range of new transport projects for the Midlands and the North are to be put forward.

Aside from HS2, he also proposes raising the age that people can buy tobacco and cigarettes in England every year to create a "smoke-free generation.” Alongside the smoking changes, Sunak also wants to clamp down on vaping among children.

He also announced a new educational qualification for England combining A-Levels and T-levels that he proposes all students would sit.

Adam’s been at conference all week and caught up with some Conservative cabinet ministers after the speech - and he chats with Chris Mason to reflect on the speech and the last few days.

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Today's Newscast was hosted by Adam Fleming. It was made by George Dabby with Sam McLaren and Joe Wilkinson. The technical producer was Dafydd Evans. The senior news editors are Jonathan Aspinwall and Sam Bonham.

Published on Wednesday, 4th October 2023.

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