Labour 'plots £500k splurge on England victory parade through London' before World Cup even begins

The Government is said to be working on plans for a huge victory parade if England win the World Cup.

Civil servants are believed to be drumming up blueprints for a £500,000 programme of celebrations across the nation if the Three Lions are crowned champions once again in the States.

Plans are underway for one of the country's largest-ever parades through London immediately after July 19's final, according to The Sun.

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) is heading up the plot - revealed days before the tournament even begins.

It remains unclear what the plans might be for a Scotland win - though the odds for that currently stand at 250/1.

Last summer, a parade was laid on through central London for the Euros-winning Lionesses.

Now, officials are thought to have consulted the FA on how to manage an estimated crowd of millions for if the men secure an extra star above their crest.

Already, drawing up plans has cost taxpayers tens of thousands of pounds.

A double decker bus, a large stage area and live entertainment are in the process of being hired.

The total cost will reach around £500,000, sources told The Sun.

One said: "If England do win the World Cup and there isn't a plan, both the Government and the FA would look stupid."

On the record, the DCMS said: "At this stage, speculation around possible ­celebrations is premature, but of course we will celebrate success in the right way."

ENGLAND HEAD TO THE WORLD CUP - LATEST:

• Alan Shearer blasts England fans criticising Thomas Tuchel over national anthem
• England fans brace for highest World Cup beer tax as Labour urged 'keep pints affordable'
• Fifa U-TURNS on water bottle ban after mass outrage and fan mockery

Last summer's Lionesses parade drew 65,000 people to the heart of the capital.

An open-top bus made its way down The Mall - lined with St George's crosses and Union Jacks.

The European champions were then received at a ceremony at the Queen Victoria Memorial in front of Buckingham Palace.

Any World Cup parade would doubtless dwarf both that and Arsenal's title parade last weekend.

Islington Council said "over a million" attended the celebrations in north London, where six people were stabbed and 24 arrests were made.

After the Three Lions' sole World Cup win in 1966, it was pandemonium in the capital.

As the team arrived at the Royal Gardens Hotel in Kensington for a banquet, a crowd of some 6,000 people mobbed the world champions.

Traffic in the West End was left at a complete standstill, with thousands of cars and pedestrians jostling to Leicester Square, Piccadilly Circus and Trafalgar and Parliament Squares for a glimpse of the stars.

According to reports at the time, pubs were full and cinemas and theatres were empty, while groups of people danced and sang in the streets.

An AA spokesman told The Observer: "It's like VE night, election night and New Year's Eve all rolled into one."