Keighley and Ilkley MP Kris Hopkins has received an assurance that companies based in the north of England will have the same opportunity to win contracts associated with the High Speed 2 rail link as those located in the south of the country.

Transport Secretary Justine Greening confirmed today that she had given the go ahead for the £33 billion scheme which will see trains travelling at speeds of up to 225 mph between London, Birmingham Leeds and Manchester.

And speaking in the House of Commons, Mr Hopkins told MPs that he welcomed "this really important announcement."

Addressing Ms Greening, he said: "Can I ask you to ensure that high quality engineering and construction companies in the north of England will have a fair chance of bidding for some of this £33 billion and it doesn't just become an opportunity to refill southern coffers?"

Responding, the Transport Secretary told the Keighley and Ilkley MP that she had "no doubt that companies in your part of the country will be extremely well placed to bid - as well as anybody else in any other part of the country," and could "take advantage of some of the economic benefits coming from this project."