Government pledges £60m for Birmingham 2022 cultural legacy

The UK government is to invest a £60m underspend from the Birmingham 2022 budget to increase access to culture and sport across the West Midlands.

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) will work with the West Midlands Combined Authority and Birmingham City Council to build on the success of the Commonwealth Games and help more people engage with culture and sport in the region.

The Games were accompanied by a six-month Birmingham 2022 Festival which included visual art, theatre, performance and community events.

The £60m will support ambitions for future major events.

Funding will also be allocated to boost inward business investment and tourism in the West Midlands.