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It is time to bring the Olympics to the North of England, Culture Secretary Secretary Lisa Nandy has declared in what the Conservatives say smacks of a “cynical attempt” to distract from Labour turmoil and “win favour” in advance of the Makerfield by-election. The Government has commissioned a “strategic assessment” which could pave the way for a bid to bring the Olympics and Paralympics to the North in the 2040s. Experts will examine whether the Britain could host the Games for the first time since London 2012.

Culture Secretary Ms Nandy said: “London 2012 showed what the Olympics can do for our country. It inspired a generation through sport, attracted huge investment and showed the best of Britain to the world. But while the North of England has driven so much sporting excellence, no matter the talent we produce, the sporting moments we create, and the world-class events we attract – for too long we have been told the Olympics is simply too big and too important to be hosted in the North. Not any more. It’s time the Olympics came North and we showed what we can offer to the world. I couldn’t be more pleased to announce that we’re starting the firing gun on a long overdue vote of confidence in the North.”

The announcement comes just days before Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham is expected to be confirmed as the candidate in the Makerfield by-election, potentially paving the way for him to challenge Sir Keir Starmer for the Labour leadership. Reform UK will attempt to build on its successes in the local elections by winning the seat and deepening the crisis within Labour.

Shadow Culture Secretary Nigel Huddleston said: “Just as the Makerfield by-election has been called, this looks like a cynical attempt by the Government to win favour and distract from the infighting and backbiting engulfing Labour. We will always back sport and investment into facilities in every corner of the United Kingdom, but taxpayers will want to know whether this is a serious plan or a political gimmick.”

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves insisted the Government will put its “full support” behind the effort to bring the Games to the North.

She said: “Britain’s sporting prowess is recognised and respected around the world. It’s something we are determined to capitalise on to breathe life into our communities and build a stronger and more secure economy. That’s why we’re throwing our full support behind bringing the Games back home which will boost our Northern Growth Corridor. It’s also why we’re backing stadium regeneration plans, like at Elland Road, to deliver new homes, business opportunities and public spaces in Leeds and beyond.”

A new “stadium regeneration accelerator” scheme will will see the Government work with sporting bodies to develop sports infrastructure which can “help deliver local regeneration and commercial growth”.Upcoming sporting events include the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham and the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. UEFA Euro 2028 is forecast to generate £3.2billion in benefits.

The Government is backing bids to host the World Athletics and Para-Athletics Championships in 2029, plus the 2035 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Former Northern Powerhouse minister Sir Jake Berry, who now supports Reform UK, said: “This is fantastic news. The North has so much to offer, and it’s right that more people across the world get the chance to see it. Unfortunately, this announcement feels far more like a cynical attempt to win the Makerfield by-election than a plan to back the North with meaningful investment. People across the North are crying out for real investment, real jobs and real belief in our communities, not headline grabbing gimmicks like commissioning an assessment into whether we might host an Olympics in the 2040s.”