The UK Government has rejected a reported request by the Scottish Government to underwrite the cost of the Commonwealth Games being hosted in Glasgow in 2026.
However, it has offered to share the financial risk, according to a report from the BBC Scotland, who claim to have seen a letter from the UK Sports Minister, Stephanie Peacock, to Scotland’s Health Secretary, Neil Gray.
It apparently outlines her backing for “an additional contribution of up to £2.3m” for the event.
The letter states that it would be Peacock’s “preference” that the Scottish government match that figure.
Gray has previously told BBC Scotland News that there was both a “reputational risk and a financial risk” to any bid to host the games in the West of Scotland and he added that “time was of the essence” on the proposal.
Glasgow last hosted the games in 2014 but any event in 2026 would be scaled down to feature ten to 13 sports instead of the 18 events held in 2014 and the Scottish city has come into the frame as the Australian city of Victoria pulled out because of cash concerns.
Recently, Commonwealth Games Scotland was reported as saying that turning down the chance to stage the event in 2026 would impact on high-performance sport north of the Border.
