An MP has blasted the 'absurd' salary on offer for the new chair of HS2 Ltd - £200,000 a year for just two days of work a week.

"Putting aside the absurdity of £200k for two days a week", Greg Smith, MP for Buckingham, urged someone from Buckinghamshire to apply for the top job.

He said: "Come on Bucks, get applying - and let's get an HS2 chairman that understands the devastation and misery the construction of this horrendous railway brings."

Former HS2 chairman Allan Cook left his role in July 2021 but there has been no replacement hired yet.

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A job advert posted on the Cabinet Office website describes the chair as a "challenging and unique role" that requires a "world-class, experienced leader".

It adds: "HS2 is a once-in-a-generation investment in the UK’s transport infrastructure. As Chair of HS2 Ltd, exceptional leadership and brilliant communication must go hand-in-hand with a proven track record in delivery, to help unlock the multiple benefits of HS2 and the great potential of the many people working on this project.

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"The right candidate will have the opportunity to not only lead a project of unprecedented size – but to inspire others and maintain confidence in the programme as we embrace lasting change for this country.

"From boosting productivity to driving decarbonisation, HS2 remains at the forefront of the Government’s plans to fire up economic growth.

"Recent announcements about Phase 2 and Euston have cemented this. The transformational potential of this project is unparalleled.

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"By creating thousands of apprenticeships and tens of thousands of skilled jobs, HS2 is at the heart of our plans to build back better from the pandemic, providing certainty at a time when people need it the most.

"Ultimately, this railway – and its integration in the national transport network – will bring our biggest cities closer together, providing a low-carbon alternative for transport users."

The role is based out of the HS2 headquarters in Birmingham and requires two days a week of work.

Applications close on April 6, with final interview dates scheduled for late April.