§ Lord Morris of Manchesterasked Her Majesty's Government:
What assessment they have made of the adequacy of funding for next year's Commonwealth Games; what representations they have received about funding of the games; and whether there is any further action they will be taking. [HL103]
§ The Minister of State, Department for Culture, Media and Sport (Baroness Blackstone):The Commonwealth Games in Manchester in 2002 will be the biggest multi-sport event ever held in the United Kingdom. They will leave a lasting sporting, economic and social legacy.
The Minister of State at the Cabinet Office explained, in evidence to the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee on 20 March, that Manchester City Council, with the Government, had arranged a review of the finances and organisation of the Commonwealth Games in Manchester next year as a build-up to the games moves from the planning to the implementation phase.
Following the review, conscious of the benefits the games will bring to the nation as a whole, the Government announced on 2 July that they had agreed to provide up to £30 million to support the games. In addition, Sport England has also agreed to provide up to £30 million to support the games' costs in addition to its existing contribution to capital facilities. Manchester City Council will also make available a further £45 million. Twenty-five million pounds of these funds will be held jointly by the three parties as a contingency fund. Government's support is additional to the £10.5 million which the Government have already made available towards the costs of the opening and closing ceremonies for the Commonwealth Games, and marks the full extent of the financial support the Government are prepared to make available.
The Government consider that this package should give the games' organisation sufficient certainty to deliver the games. Manchester City Council continues to retain financial responsibility for the games.
Discussions continue about the make-up and timing of the package of financial support. The Government, Manchester City Council and Sport England will agree appropriate controls to manage it.