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The UK Government have announced ambitious potential plans to bring the Olympic and Paralympic Games to the North of England in the 2040s. UK Sport have been asked to carry out a strategic assessment to look at whether the locale would be viable, as officials look to utilise sports to power regeneration in towns and cities.

Initial assessments will look at potential costs, socioeconomic benefit and the chance of success any bid would have. The Government sees major sporting events as a chance to drive economic growth and regeneration - as well as bolstering the UK's global appeal. Speaking about the move, cultural secretary Lisa 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."

Chancellor of the exchequer, Rachel Reeves added: "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.

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"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."

Elsewhere, the Government has also rolled out a new wave of work to use sport as a catalyst for economic growth. That includes a stadium regernaration accelarator which will see officials work with sporting bodies on priority infrastructure development projects.

A new Sporting Events Bill was also introduced to Parliament on Thursday, which will make it easier to bid for and secure major sporting events in the future - including Euro 2028. It will also make the unauthorised resale of tickets for certain major events a criminal offence, amid a rise in price gouging for sporting events and concerts.

A release from the Government adds: "The government will set out its plans to support and provide leadership to the nation's wider major events sector, by delivering a cross-sector strategy within the coming year. The strategy will cover major events in all sectors - cultural, sporting and business - and will ensure that major events continue to drive economic growth, enhance the UK's soft power across the globe, and strengthen social cohesion in our towns and cities.

"This will build on the UK's outstanding track record - from the 80th commemorations of VE day and the billions of pounds generated every year from hosting business events, to the record-breaking Women's Rugby World Cup last year.

"The government has also appointed Lord McConnell as a Ministerial Adviser on Soft Power and Major Events. Lord McConnell, who was central to bringing the Commonwealth Games to Glasgow in 2014, will support the government's ambition to cement the UK's position as the go-to destination for the world's most prestigious sporting and cultural events, drawing on his experience in international affairs, public policy and supporting the delivery of major events."