West Midlands Mayor Andy Street says local people can look forward to benefitting from the legacy of last year’s Commonwealth Games – because millions of pounds that was intended to be spent on the huge event will now be used across the region.
Mr Street, who leads the West Midlands Combined Authority, says around £70m of unspent Commonwealth Games funding is to be used to realise the Games' legacy ambitions, help level up and grow the West Midlands economy and boost its trade and tourism sectors.
He said: “Last summer, our region played host to the spectacular 2022 Commonwealth Games - a wonderful moment of collective celebration for millions both at home and abroad.
“It was huge challenge to stage such an event, but everyone across the region felt proud that it was such a success.
“And one of the truly impressive things about that achievement is that it came in under budget - and I’m pleased that the Government has agreed to enable the West Midlands to retain this underspend.
“This news is not only a real vote of confidence in the ability of local leadership to deliver but also means we have tens of millions of pounds to spend on improving the lives of people right across our region and ensuring the Games leave a lasting legacy in the months and years ahead.”
The Government will provide the money, which is £10m more than originally announced, to the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) to help enhance and amplify the positive legacy of the Games across the entire region.
Mr Street led the discussions between council leaders and the Department for Culture, Media, and Sport to secure the agreement that the unspent Birmingham 2022 budget would be handed back to the West Midlands to enhance the legacy of the Games by boosting its reputation as a world-class host for major events, increasing people’s access to sport and culture, and by driving inward investment and tourism.