Universal UK resort talks ongoing, says government

Negotiations for a Universal Studios theme park in the UK are ongoing, the government has told MPs.

There was speculation the proposed 700-acre (283-hectare) development in Kempston Hardwick, Bedfordshire, could be mentioned in Chancellor Rachel Reeves' speech about growth.

Blake Stephenson, Conservative MP for Mid Bedfordshire, the constituency in which the park could be built, told the Commons people may be surprised not to hear the government back the project and asked when negotiations would conclude.

Treasury minister Darren Jones declined to give a date and said negotiations were ongoing, adding: "I hope to come back shortly with updates."

Earlier in Parliament, Mohammad Yasin, Labour MP for Bedford and Kempston, asked for reassurance that progress was being made on the project.

Jones responded: "The government is in negotiations with partners for this development and unfortunately I can't update the house at this stage but I look forward to doing so in due course".

Universal Destinations and Experiences bought a 476-acre (193-hectare) site in Kempston Hardwick, near Bedford, but explained during public consultation the final size of the site could cover about 700 acres.

It has yet to make a decision on whether the theme park will go ahead.

The firm said if its plans moved forward, it would "help facilitate" a number of upgrades to the area, such as the construction of new railway stations, new slip roads from the A421 and upgrades to Manor Road.

Universal claims about 8,000 jobs would be created in the area once the resort became operational.

After two decades, that number would rise to 10,000, it says.

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