Committee publication · Correspondence · 17 June 2026 · HC 1308
Correspondence from Stephanie Peacock MP, Minister for Sport, Tourism, Civil Society and Youth regarding Commonwealth Games funding, dated 10 June 2026
From: Scottish Affairs Committee
Inquiry: Glasgow Commonwealth Games 2026
Summary
Stephanie Peacock MP, Minister for Sport, Tourism, Civil Society and Youth, sets out UK Government support for Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games. The letter details £2.3m contingent funding for safety and security, tax exemptions, visa and border support, and broader diplomatic and soft-power activations. The Games are privately funded via Victoria's compensation and commercial income; government support enabled the original agreement and contributed to India's subsequent 2030 bid.
Key findings
- UK Government committed up to £2.3m contingent funding from FCDO for safety and security planning should national threat level increase — described as key to unlocking the original Glasgow hosting agreement.
- Games operate on private funding model via compensation from Victoria's withdrawal and commercial income; government support is supplementary rather than primary.
- Government providing reserved services including visa regime support, customs and borders, tax exemption (secondary legislation laid April 2026), and radio spectrum allocation.
- Department for Business and Trade delivering activations including Clean Energy Showcase and thought-leadership event on major event delivery; FCDO using Games platform for bilateral and multilateral Commonwealth engagement.
- Legacy approach being developed by Organising Committee with 70+ partners through 'Story of Change' framework, moving beyond traditional infrastructure focus; Games Festival funded at approximately £3m with contributions from Commonwealth Sport, sportscotland, Scottish Government and VisitScotland.
Tone
SupportiveTopics
Key actors
Stephanie Peacock MP, Patricia Ferguson MP, Glasgow City Council, Commonwealth Games Scotland, Scottish Government, Glasgow 2026 Organising Committee, Glasgow Life, Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office
Notable line
“This was a key commitment from the Government which helped to unlock the original agreement for Glasgow to host the Games and without which the …”
Key Quotes
“… the UK Government has consistently backed Glasgow 2026 as a positive outcome for the Games movement and for the UK.”
“… the UK Government was pleased to be able to support the Games through a commitment of up to £2.3m of contingent funding to support safety and security planning should the national threat level increase.”
“This was a key commitment from the Government which helped to unlock the original agreement for Glasgow to host the Games and without which the future of the event looked increasingly uncertain.”
“As a result of our commitment to supporting the Games there is now a more sustainable model being delivered through Glasgow 2026, and one which has directly contributed to India coming forward to host the 2030 edition.”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗