Chancellor John Healey will use Wednesday's Budget to announce a £7 million fund to examine a potential bid to host the Olympics in northern England, with the Prime Minister backing the idea as "something everyone can get behind".
The funding will support a full feasibility study for a Northern Games, building on an assessment commissioned by the Government in May, before the current Prime Minister entered Downing Street. That earlier work, carried out by UK Sport, could inform a bid for the international sporting event in the 2040s.
Prime Minister's Vision for a Northern Olympics
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."
He added: "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."
Hosting the Games would mark a return to Britain for the first time since London 2012, as part of plans to boost growth and regenerate towns and cities. Manchester previously failed in a 1993 bid to stage the 2000 Olympic Games, which were ultimately awarded to Sydney.
Funding and Feasibility Study Details
The £7 million will be used for a full assessment of a future Olympic and Paralympic bid, alongside a commitment to support UK sport. The study will examine how the games would work in practice, including the types of venues and transport links needed, and the prospects of developing a winning bid.
The work will involve the Government, UK Sport, the Northern mayors, and the British Olympic and Paralympic Associations, who would ultimately be responsible for a 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."
