{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/9475d117-fcd4-4915-a6f3-923941e7aa0d/670550fafdf93b3e0c594663?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"HS2 will run to London Euston, minister signals","thumbnail_width":200,"thumbnail_height":200,"thumbnail_url":"https://open-images.acast.com/shows/61ba05fc1a8cbed4343cf0e6/1728401493917-960326d4-4b27-471a-9791-362a91afd5c6.jpeg?height=200","description":"<p>Transport secretary Louise Haigh<a href=\"https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/hs2-high-speed-rail-line-will-run-to-euston-transport-secretary-louise-haigh-confirms-b1186492.html\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"> has signalled the HS2 high-speed line</a> will terminate in central London.</p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>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 <a href=\"pensioners’ free bus passes.\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">pensioners’ free bus passes.</a></p><p>In part two, <a href=\"https://www.standard.co.uk/business/water-companies-bills-ofwat-targets-failings-b1186488.html\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">water companies in England and Wales</a> 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.</p><p>The report revealed firms continue to miss targets on pollution, leaks and customer satisfaction.&nbsp;</p><p>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.</p>","author_name":"The Evening Standard"}