Millions of pounds of public money is being diverted from British high streets to stadium upgrades as construction firms from London to Manchester secure contracts for the 2026 World Cup. A government audit has revealed that the initial cost estimate of £2 billion has ballooned to £2.7 billion, raising questions about the affordability of the tournament at a time when families are struggling with energy bills and food costs.
Trade unions have criticised the lack of transparency, with Unite the Union's regional secretary, Karen Mitchell, stating: “We need to know how many of these contracts guarantee decent wages and local jobs. In the past, workers have been brought in from abroad on poverty wages while local people are left on the dole.”
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport defended the expenditure, highlighting that over 90% of the contracts have been awarded to UK-based companies, with a commitment to creating 15,000 new apprenticeships. However, analysis by the Institute for Fiscal Studies shows that the average cost per seat in the upgraded stadiums has risen by 60% since the bid was won in 2018.
For communities in the North West, where Liverpool’s Goodison Park and Manchester’s Old Trafford are due for renovation, the promise of regeneration rings hollow. Pat Kelly, a bricklayer from Bootle, fears the contracts will go to the same firms that ran up huge debts on the London 2012 Olympic Stadium. “My mates are struggling to pay their mortgages, and the government is handing out billions to construction giants who pay their workers zero-hour contracts.”
The Home Office has also been pressed on whether the visa system for temporary workers will be tightened to prevent a repeat of the 2012 scandal where South Asian workers were paid below minimum wage. A spokesperson said: “We are working with the construction industry to ensure that all workers are paid the correct rate and have safe working conditions.”
With Scotland and Wales also expressing concerns about the diversion of funds from their infrastructure budgets, the chancellor is facing calls to publish a full breakdown of the costs and benefits. The Treasury has so far refused, citing commercial sensitivity.
The National Audit Office is expected to launch a value-for-money investigation. Meanwhile, the British Chambers of Commerce have urged the government to ensure that supply chains are local, with contracts for catering, security, and cleaning services prioritising small businesses. But for many on the shop floor, the clock is ticking and the confidence is thin.
This story will be updated as more details emerge. Write to [email protected] with your experiences.
