£70 million to be spent across the West Midlands with unspent Commonwealth Games funding
The cash is set to be used to realise the legacy of the games - and it's £10 million more than originally thought
Last updated 19th Mar 2023
Millions of pounds of unspent funding from the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham is coming to the region - to help realise the legacy ambition of last year's event as well as boost trade, tourism and grow the economy across the West Midlands.
Around £70 million is coming in from the Government to help the West Midlands Combined Authority to enhance and amplify the positive legacy of the Games.
That cash is around £10 million more than originally thought, too.
The WMCA Board agreed to allocate:
- Around £39 million to help the economy, trade and tourism, as well as to support the WMCA's 'Plan for Growth' initiatives
- £20.8 million to 'help tackle inequalities in the region’s more deprived communities' through sport and other physical activities
- £4 million to help with culture and heritage, as well as programmes to improve sustainability
- £4 million to help with people's wellbeing
Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands and WMCA chair, 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.
The Mayor said: “Last summer, our region played host to the spectacular Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games - a wonderful moment of collective celebration for millions both at home and abroad. Despite the challenges inherent in delivering a project of such scale, the Games actually 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.”
Cllr Ian Ward, leader of Birmingham City Council and a member of the WMCA Board, said: “As the proud host city, Birmingham thrived in the global spotlight during the Commonwealth Games. It’s great news that the entire region will benefit as a result of this additional money that will enable us to enhance the work that is already taking place to ensure there is a long-lasting and wide-ranging legacy.
“Everyone should benefit from the success of the Games and we now have a clear region-wide plan to make that happen. That includes bidding to host more major events, including the European Athletics Championships which will be held in Birmingham in 2026, encouraging residents to participate in physical activity, offering support to grassroots sporting and cultural organisations, and businesses, and providing skills training in support of the region’s Plan for Growth.”
A significant amount of work has already gone in by the organising partners to draw-up plans - even before the Legacy Fund money was confirmed. This was part of the original bout of Games Legacy planning.
The Fund will also be used by the West Midlands Growth Company to provide intensive support for high-growth Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs), among other projects, including helping to bid and host major events.