A Reform government would scrap new high-speed rail schemes expected to be announced by ministers within weeks, the party’s deputy leader said.

Richard Tice told companies considering bidding for contracts to build Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) they should “not bother” as the party would “spend the money instead on things the country needs more”.

NPR is a proposal to boost east-west rail connections across northern England. Labour is expected to make a commitment to NPR in the coming weeks. Mr Tice made his comments in a forward to a report by centre-right think tank Policy Exchange.