Taxpayers’ money will transform Birmingham stadium into world-class venue

THERESA MAY will today announce £70million of taxpayers' money to transform Birmingham’s athletics stadium into a world-class venue ahead of the city’s 2022 Commonwealth Games.

The investment will increase Alexander Stadium’s capacity from 12,700 to 40,000 in time for the Games.

The stadium will retain 20,000 permanent seats after the event.

The Government pointed to the record of the London 2012 Olympics and the Glasgow Commonwealth Games in 2014 as examples of how major sporting events can generate economic as well as cultural benefits.

But the money is likely to cause anger among MPs as it is nearly twice as much as the Government’s violent crime strategy.

And it compares to just £30million committed over the next decade to eradicating rough sleeping across the country.

Alexander Stadium will host athletes from across the Commonwealth competing in track and field, as well as the opening and closing ceremonies.

The Prime Minister will visit Birmingham today as the city prepares to take on the baton from the Gold Coast next week.

Mrs May will say: “Birmingham’s dynamism, diversity and ambition capture exactly what it is to be part of the Commonwealth and I’m sure that in four years’ time, the people of this city will host an incredible event which showcases the very best of Britain to the world.

“The investment I am announcing today will transform the stadium into a state-of-the-art facility benefitting the local community and the region well beyond 2022.”