Oral Answers to Questions

Judith Cummins Excerpts

Thursday 1st November 2018 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

I am sorry but we have a lot to get through and people really do have to be able to blurt it out.

[Judith Cummins (Bradford South) (Lab)]

10. Whether he has made an assessment of the potential economic and social effect of major sporting events being hosted in the northern powerhouse area.

[The Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (Jeremy Wright)]

Hosting major sporting events brings significant economic and societal benefits. There will be a number of exciting events hosted in the northern powerhouse area in the coming years. You will not want me to list them all, Mr Speaker, but I might mention the world road cycling championships in Yorkshire and the rugby league world cup, both of which I know will be of interest to the hon. Lady. UK Sport estimates that these events will generate more than £225 million of direct economic impact for local host communities.

[Judith Cummins]

With three years to go until the 2021 rugby league world cup, will the Minister welcome the significant economic benefit that the tournament will deliver to the north of England and recognise the legacy programme that has been put together, which will have a lasting impact on communities across the north?

[Jeremy Wright]

I will certainly do that. I know that the hon. Lady will welcome the up to £15 million of Exchequer funding that will go to support event delivery, but she is right to say that legacy is important, too.