Northern Olympics Bid Set to Get £7m in Healey Budget
Chancellor John Healey will announce £7 million in Wednesday's Budget for a full study of a northern England Olympics bid.
- May: UK Sport was commissioned for an initial evaluation, before Burnham became prime minister.
- The study covers venues, transport, costs and the odds of winning.
- It will also examine how several cities could share the Games.
- The British Olympic and Paralympic associations would submit any formal bid.
Why it matters: The study is the first full test of whether a multi-city northern Games is affordable and winnable.
- £8.9bn: the 2013 coalition government's estimate of London 2012's cost.
- £9.9bn: the economic boost UK Trade and Investment credited to London 2012.
How 4 sources split on this story
Where they split: The outlets differ on emphasis: whether to lead with the government's case for a bid or with the open questions about cost and economic return.
Center coverage, 1 sources: The center frames the study as a Budget item and stresses cost, noting that the Federation of Small Businesses and NIESR questioned London 2012's claimed £9.9bn boost.
Left coverage, 2 sources: The left frames the study as a step forward for a bid, led by Prime Minister Andy Burnham's case for national unity and regional opportunity.
What’s next: The government, UK Sport, northern mayors and the Olympic and Paralympic associations will conduct the assessment.
- The British Olympic Association, ParalympicsGB and UK Sport welcomed the funding in a joint statement.
- How much would a northern Games cost, and who would pay?
- Which cities would host which events?
- Would the economic return hold up better than London 2012's disputed £9.9bn figure?
