Government won't fund 'sporting elements' of Old Trafford plans, minister says

The government will not fund any of the 'sporting elements' in the redevelopment of Old Trafford, a senior minister has said.

Business secretary Jonathan Reynolds said the government will with local leaders on the 'exciting project' which could see the area around Manchester United's ground regenerated. However, the cabinet minister confirmed the government will not fund the stadium.

It comes after Rachel Reeves promised to champion the project as a 'shining example' of the government's plans for economic growth. But the Chancellor's blessing for the huge regeneration scheme around the stadium has not come with any cash commitment yet.

Trafford council bosses backed the ‘once in a generation opportunity’ £4.2bn redevelopment plans this week. But the plans for a stadium revamp or a potential new 100,000-seater - alongside 5,000 new homes and 48,000 new jobs - are still in their early stages.

Speaking on BBC Breakfast this morning (January 29), Mr Reynolds, who is the MP for Stalybridge and Hyde, said: “It’s a hugely exciting project. As someone who lives in Greater Manchester myself, I recognise the scale of the opportunity around the wider housing and residential and leisure offer that could be put in that place.

“We are going to work with the Mayor, Andy Burnham, who is a trailblazer for these kinds of projects, really showing what local economic leadership can be. We’ve got a whole range of tools, whether that’s our National Wealth Fund to partner with industry, putting money into local areas, the planning changes that will allow these things to happen specifically.

“We are not funding any of the sporting elements of that, but of course the wider area, transport, housing, we want to work with local areas to deliver