Thank you very much. I’m thrilled to be here today, at UK House, to join you all in commemorating not only a genuinely amazing Games, but also the variety of potential prospects it brings to the area and the rest of the nation.
We’ve had ten wonderful days of sporting, cultural, and business activities, and it’s incredible to see the West Midlands front and center on the global scene, which we hope will continue for a long time.
First and foremost, I’d want to express my gratitude to everyone involved in organizing this great event and working so hard to ensure it leaves a lasting memory. Putting on the Games and reaping the many advantages it may bring to the area and the UK has been a real collaborative effort.
The Games have only been a success because of everyone working together. Thank you to everyone who participated in the event and took advantage of the possibilities it provided. And a special thanks to Andy for his personal contribution to the success of this amazing event.
And let me add that this joint effort has culminated in what has really been a Games of incredible accomplishments.
The Games were completed in four and a half years rather than the normal seven.
An desire to be the most sustainable Games ever, with the goal of being carbon neutral first.
The most inclusive Games ever, with the biggest integrated parasport program ever and more women’s medal events than men’s for the first time.
But, beyond the event, I’d want to dwell on the huge diversity of legacy possibilities that have been produced and will continue to be created long after the closing ceremony is over.
As a government, we have remained steadfast in our commitment to ensure that Birmingham 2022 creates a lasting legacy for the host city and area, as well as the whole United Kingdom.
The Games itself have cost the government £778 million in public funds. This core £778 million, in addition to giving an incredible legacy, has allowed a further £85 million in additional financing to be unlocked from a variety of organizations.
The Games’ legacy is vast, with the ‘Games for Everyone’ concept established from the outset.
The Games have assisted communities in gaining access to its chances and benefits, with equality, diversity, and inclusion woven throughout everything partners have done.
There is major new infrastructure, such as a new aquatics center in Sandwell and the rebuilding of the Alexander Stadium, that will benefit local communities long after the Games are done. In addition, the rehabilitation of Perry Barr has resulted in the construction of 1,400 additional dwellings.
Furthermore, the Games’ Legacy program has delivered:
A £10 million Jobs and Skills Academy has been established to ensure that local inhabitants have the skills required to capitalize on the possibilities created by the Games.
Sport England has committed more than £35 million in providing a physical activity and wellbeing legacy, assisting individuals who are least active in engaging in sport and physical activity.
A youth and school engagement campaign to ensure that the narrative and enthusiasm of the Games and the Commonwealth are shared with children and young people throughout the nation.
A six-month free cultural program in the West Midlands, funded by a £12 million investment from Arts Council England, the Heritage Fund, Spirit of 2012, and other partners.
Ambitious environmental pledges include, as previously stated, the goal of becoming the most sustainable Games ever and the “first ever carbon neutral Games.”
Plus, £350 million in procurement possibilities, the vast bulk of which were won right here in the West Midlands.
And, of course, the £24 million investment in the Business and Tourism Programme that we, together with the Combined Authority, have made.
We’ve witnessed the power of this investment here at UK House over the past 11 days, bringing together business leaders from across the globe and presenting the West Midlands as a location to live, work, visit, and conduct business.
This initiative is critical to leveraging the good profile established by the Games to promote Birmingham, the West Midlands, and the UK’s worldwide status as a premier destination for tourism, commerce, and investment.
We’ve seen it provide some fantastic possibilities in cooperation with the West Midlands Combined Authority, the West Midlands Growth Company, the Department for International Trade, and Visit Britain, as well as sponsors in our audience today.
The possibility of connecting with Commonwealth states and territories, as well as other significant worldwide markets.
The chance to re-establish a robust and sustainable tourist industry in the West Midlands, and, more broadly, to help to the revival of UK tourism as we exit Covid-19.
And the chance to show the world that the West Midlands and the United Kingdom are inventive, vibrant, and investor-friendly.
But the Business and Tourism program is far from over; in fact, it is just getting started. Building on the profile and momentum of the last two weeks, we’ve set ourselves some big goals. By 2027, we want to have:
Increase investment by more than £700 million, including more than £370 million in the West Midlands.
Attract 39,000 additional tourists, 12,000 of whom will come to the West Midlands.
Create 1,000 new employment, up to 600 of which will be situated in the West Midlands.
The Mayor and his colleagues at the Combined Authority, West Midlands Growth Company, the Department for International Trade, and Visit Britain have been instrumental in ensuring the program’s success. Thank you for all you’ve done over the last several months and years.
In many aspects, the Business and Tourism Programme, as a collaboration of national, regional, and municipal government, as well as the business sector, exemplifies devolution in action. Working as more than the sum of our parts to accomplish exceptional things and elevate our locations.
And, on behalf of the Government, I look forward to working with the West Midlands as we seek for ways to build on the Games’ success.
The Games were a terrific experience, and we accomplished so much.
But, as I’ve always maintained, this is about much more than just the event. It’s about capitalizing on the Games’ momentum to realize the long-term advantages for the West Midlands area and its residents, as well as the UK as a whole.
I’m looking forward to witnessing the rewards of our collaborative work over the next months and years. Thank you very much.
Nigel Huddleston, Minister for Sport, addressing at UK House.