Glasgow SNP MSP Bob Doris has today welcomed the news that the 2014 Commonwealth Games will receive an extra £57 million of funding from the Scottish Government. Mr Doris acquired the information in an answer to a Parliamentary question from the Sport Minister Shona Robison, in which she states an extra £37 million will be provided, as well as a £20 million reserve fund.

Commenting, Mr Doris said: “This is fantastic news for the people of Glasgow and has once again highlighted the SNP’s Government’s commitment to the City. This extra funding will give a further boost to the games, which are well on track to be a huge success.

“The current and proposed infrastructure projects such as the M74 extension and Fastlink will not only provide better transport for the City, but will also create jobs and help Glasgow through this downturn. This is the SNP delivering for Glasgow.

“These games are a huge opportunity to build a legacy, to increase participation in sport, to get not only Glasgow active but the whole of Scotland active, and to improve not just our medals tally but our long term health and activity levels.

Note:

Bob Doris’s Parliamentary Question:

16 November 2009 Index Heading: Health and Wellbeing

Bob Doris (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive  what progress has been made in the planning for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.
(S3W-28930)

Ms Shona Robison :
The Organising Committee for the 2014 Commonwealth Games will announce on 16 November that a funding boost has been agreed to strengthen our ability to deliver an outstanding Games for Glasgow and Scotland. The increase follows a thorough review of the original budget prepared in 2007 as part of the bid for the Games. The review carried out for the Organising Committee concluded that the original budget was insufficient to ensure that the Games are delivered successfully and to the required standard. This is largely because of legislative changes, rising broadcasting costs and a more developed understanding of what is needed to deliver a successful Games. The review also found that the level of contingency in the original budget was too low to provide cover for all the risks that have now been identified around the Games.

The Games partners have concluded that, as a consequence of this review, the Games Budget should increase from £373.4 million to £453.6 million. The additional funding will come from a mix of public and private money. The Scottish Government will provide an additional £37 million and a £20 million reserve fund. Glasgow City Council will contribute an extra £9m and the Organising Committee will raise an additional £14 million through increased commercial activities. All of these figures are expressed at 2007 prices to allow direct comparison with the bid budget. The additional resources will be made available over the next 5 financial years.

The 2014 Commonwealth Games can be the catalyst for significant change and will generate enormous sporting, social and economic benefits for the whole of Scotland. The Games need to be funded properly and the budget that is being announced will enable the potential benefits to be realised. The fact that 70% of the venues for the Games are already in place and the reserve fund that is being held by Government will help guarantee that there is no further pressure from the Games on the public purse.

Planning for the Games is on track and there has been good progress with key developments such as the Games Village and the National Indoor Sports Arena as well as on infrastructure projects such as the M74 extension. The Organising Committee has its full senior staff team in place and is working well. Planning for the handover ceremony during the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi is well underway and legislation has been made to protect the Glasgow 2014 brand and ensure that income from sponsorship can be maximised. The Commonwealth Games Federation has stated publicly that the Glasgow preparations are going well and that it has confidence in the arrangements in place.