Transport secretary Louise Haigh has signalled the HS2 high-speed line will terminate in central London.

She told Times Radio on Tuesday an announcement would be made soon on the controversial under-construction route from Birmingham into the capital - that’s expected at the Budget on October 30.

There was uncertainty over HS2’s final stop amid funding worries and whether it would instead be at Old Oak Common further to the west of London.

We’re joined by The Standard’s political editor Nicholas Cecil to discuss the project - forecast to cost over £66 billion - plus, rail nationalisation plans and government assurances over pensioners’ free bus passes.

In part two, water companies in England and Wales have been hit with penalties of nearly £158 after regulator Ofwat published its annual performance report into the sector - and they’ve been told to knock the money off customers’ bills.

The report revealed firms continue to miss targets on pollution, leaks and customer satisfaction. 

To find out what this means for consumers and discuss the impact of water privatisation, we’re joined by Dr Eleanor Shearer, senior research fellow at the Common Wealth think tank.

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