The Growth Taskforce for HS2 is meeting figureheads from the East Midlands today (November 15th) to promote the economic benefits of the scheme.

This is part of the government's push to encourage support for the development - it argues HS2 could deliver as much as 1,600 jobs in the East Midlands due to new stations and the related opportunities.

Additionally, around 10,000 construction jobs will be created during phase two, which connects Birmingham to Manchester and Leeds.

Chair of the HS2 Growth Taskforce and commercial secretary to the Treasury Lord Deighton said: "HS2 will give a massive boost to the East Midlands, creating new employment and business opportunities, freeing up capacity on the railways and improving connections to the West Midlands, north and south."

In a statement, the government cited figures from its recent report, commissioned by KPMG, which suggests HS2 could improve Nottingham, Derby and the wider area by £2.2 billion each year within five years of the rail's opening.

However, this is the same report which has recently come under scrutiny for hidden or misleading figures, with the authors and transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin called to answer to the Commons transport select committee as a result.