Why is government spending £1.3bn on Universal UK?

Why is government spending £1.3bn on Universal UK? 9 hours ago Share Save Add as preferred on Google Nicola Haseler , in Stewartby , Andrew Sinclair , at Downing Street and Danny Fullbrook PA Media Universal Destinations and Experiences chairman and chief executive, Mark Woodbury, met Rachel Reeves in Downing Street The government has promised an investment worth £1.3bn in infrastructure to support the planned Universal United Kingdom Resort. Chancellor Rachel Reeves explained the development would create 28,000 jobs between now and its opening, and "unlock nearly £50bn of economic growth". She also mentioned the project in Bedfordshire would provide "lots of joy" to visitors once open in 2031. But for some it might seem a hefty bill for the government to pick up on a theme park during a cost of living crisis, so why has it done it? Where is the money going? Getty Images Universal told the BBC the planned park would be its only destination in Europe Most of the money - £474m - has been allocated by the Department for Transport to upgrade the A421 and the new Wixams railway station. Universal has already said it wants a new junction on the A421 that will directly feed traffic in and out of the resort. While a two-platform station was already planned to connect Wixams to London and Brighton, work has been halted so it can be expanded into a four-platform stop capable of handling the influx of tourists. Further connectivity is expected via Stewartby, which is slated for the East West Rail line, with a promise of four trains an hour to Oxford by the early 2030s . Ant Saddington/BBC Work to build Wixams' station began in the summer of 2024 The government will also provide a grant of £400m through the exceptional Regional Growth Fund, while the Department for Culture, Media and Sport will provide a second grant of £438m for "new community infrastructure". Both of these will only be paid once Universal has completed that infrastructure and opened the park. When asked about local concerns around water infrastructure , the chancellor said the government was committed to building more reservoirs in the area, as part of its plan to build more homes. She added that Universal itself was "investing in energy infrastructure at the site as well to make it more sustainable and more resilient". Why does the government care? PA Media Rachel Reeves boasted that Universal had "chosen Britain" The chancellor views Universal's total investment of £6bn as a "big vote of confidence" in the UK. In her eyes, the government support helps unlock Universal's direct private investment which will boost jobs and the country's economy. She continued: "Universal could have put this pretty much anywhere in Europe, it's their first theme park in Europe... and they've chosen Britain and they've chosen Bedfordshire." Universal has already hired about 100 people in the UK and has had 33,000 individuals expressing interest in employment through its website. During construction there wil