HS2 rail bosses have spent money on a woke inclusivity document — as experts warn the line’s real cost could hit £180billion.
Training sessions on “unconscious bias” were set up for workers, despite finances being out of control.
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The coaching lessons were revealed in HS2’s latest “Equality, Diversity and Inclusion” document.
Tory MP Greg Smith, on the Transport Select Committee, last night said HS2 chiefs were taking the public for “mugs”.
He said: “Not content with running massively over budget, they are now using our cash to bake a huge slice of woke pie.”
PM Rishi Sunak is said to be alarmed by the escalating costs of the project and is considering cancelling part of it.
HS2 staff have meanwhile had training on conscious inclusion and bullying.
The sessions will “help facilitate internal conversation and greater understanding of unconscious bias”, the document said.
It also reveals the organisation “delivered an inclusive leadership workshop for our top sixty technical leaders”.
And it shows how HS2 bosses are also counting the number of LGBTQ+ staff, with some four per cent of workers being lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans or questioning.
Eight per cent of bosses on the scheme’s Phase 2 are also LGBTQ+.
Lord Berkeley, a Labour peer who served on a government review into the scheme, said its full cost was “nearer £180billion”.
HS2 Ltd said: “It’s vital we set high standards to ensure everyone is able to work in a safe and supportive environment.”
