Raynor 'shares the ambitions' of Blues chiefs

WAGNER: PROPOSED SPORTS QUARTER WILL HELP TACKLE PROVERTY

- JANE HAYNES News Reporter

TOM Wagner, the boss of Blues owners Knighthead, urged Government leaders to back his £3 billion Sports Quarter vision with some hard cash to help turn the dial on poverty in the city.

Mr Wagner has pressed Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner to “match his ambition” to transform the fortunes of east Birmingham by unlocking funds for transport infrastructure in the area, including cash for a train station expansion and a new tramline.

He was speaking at a conference in Leeds, where the Deputy PM was waiting in the wings to follow him onto the main stage to give the keynote address.

And in response she told the audience that Mr Wagner had “thrown down the gauntlet” and that the Government did indeed “have that ambition”.

It was taken as the clearest indication yet that a funding announcement could form part of the Government's Spending Review next month.

They were both attending UKREiiE, a major real estate, infrastructure and investment conference taking place this week.