Northern England Olympic Games bid takes step forward with major new study

A £7 million study is to be launched to investigate whether northern England could host a future Olympic Games.

Chancellor John Healey will use Wednesday’s Budget to announce the full feasibility assessment for a potential Northern Games.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has stated that an Olympics bid would be "something everyone can get behind".

An initial evaluation was commissioned from UK Sport in May, before Mr Burnham entered No 10, to look into a potential bid for the event in the 2040s.

Following that preliminary work, Mr Burnham’s government has allocated £7 million to conduct a complete assessment of a future Olympic and Paralympic bid, alongside a commitment to support UK sport.

The Prime Minister said: "Few things bring a country together quite like the Olympics. I want people to feel that sense of excitement again, and to experience it in their own towns and communities, not just watch it on the telly.

"The games would unlock opportunity across our towns and cities for the whole country. From north to south, it would be something everyone could get behind and be proud of.

"We know we can put on the greatest show on earth. Now we want to explore how we can do it again, with the whole country behind it."

The comprehensive study will examine the practical details of delivering the games, including necessary venues, transport infrastructure, and the probability of constructing a winning bid.

The work will be carried out in collaboration with the Government, UK Sport, Northern mayors, and the British Olympic and Paralympic Associations, who would ultimately submit any formal bid.

Mr Healey said: "The North hosting an event as big as this would be truly unforgettable.

"Britain’s experience of London 2012 is proof we can host the world. I’m picking up the pace on our work to potentially bid for these prestigious games.

"It will lift communities, create opportunities and give the UK a huge boost."