Why is government spending £1.3bn on Universal UK?

Why is government spending £1.3bn on Universal UK?9 hours agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleNicola Haseler,in Stewartby,Andrew Sinclair,at Downing StreetandDanny FullbrookPA MediaUniversal Destinations and Experiences chairman and chief executive, Mark Woodbury, met Rachel Reeves in Downing StreetThe 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 ImagesUniversal told the BBC the planned park would be its only destination in EuropeMost 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/BBCWork to build Wixams' station began in the summer of 2024The 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 ab...