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| Rally threat after £2m grant axed | Rally threat after £2m grant axed |
| (9 minutes later) | |
| The future of this year's Wales GB Rally is in doubt after the Welsh Assembly Government withdrew an estimated £2m in funding. | The future of this year's Wales GB Rally is in doubt after the Welsh Assembly Government withdrew an estimated £2m in funding. |
| Organisers say they were "shocked and disappointed" at the move, despite a contract to back the event, scheduled to begin on 22 October, until 2011. | Organisers say they were "shocked and disappointed" at the move, despite a contract to back the event, scheduled to begin on 22 October, until 2011. |
| International Motor Sports Limited (IMS) said they had no choice but to sue for breach of contract. | International Motor Sports Limited (IMS) said they had no choice but to sue for breach of contract. |
| The assembly government said it would be "inappropriate" to comment. | The assembly government said it would be "inappropriate" to comment. |
| In a statement, IMS said the 2009 rally was now "under threat". | In a statement, IMS said the 2009 rally was now "under threat". |
| It said: "This unprecedented action towards WRGB by the Welsh Assembly Government has been instigated without any prior notice or consultation. | It said: "This unprecedented action towards WRGB by the Welsh Assembly Government has been instigated without any prior notice or consultation. |
| In fact the Deputy First Minister, Ieuan Wyn Jones, himself noted the importance of the event in 2007 IMS chief executive Andrew Coe | In fact the Deputy First Minister, Ieuan Wyn Jones, himself noted the importance of the event in 2007 IMS chief executive Andrew Coe |
| "It is in breach of the existing contract between IMS and the Welsh Assembly Government that was signed on 30th March 2006 for the period up to and including the 2011 Rally. | "It is in breach of the existing contract between IMS and the Welsh Assembly Government that was signed on 30th March 2006 for the period up to and including the 2011 Rally. |
| IMS chief executive Andrew Coe said: "Our preparations for October's Wales Rally GB are progressing well, with the event scheduled to be launched to the media and public by the end of April. | IMS chief executive Andrew Coe said: "Our preparations for October's Wales Rally GB are progressing well, with the event scheduled to be launched to the media and public by the end of April. |
| "Therefore we are shocked and disappointed that the Welsh Assembly Government has taken this position, without even any prior notice or discussions between us, particularly as there is a firm and binding contract in place until 2011. | "Therefore we are shocked and disappointed that the Welsh Assembly Government has taken this position, without even any prior notice or discussions between us, particularly as there is a firm and binding contract in place until 2011. |
| Mr Coe said the event had met "and in many cases exceeded" performance indicators laid down by the assembly government under the terms of the deal. | Mr Coe said the event had met "and in many cases exceeded" performance indicators laid down by the assembly government under the terms of the deal. |
| He said the rally, which has several stages across south and mid Wales, was looking forward to continuing its "extremely positive relationship" with the team at the assembly government. | He said the rally, which has several stages across south and mid Wales, was looking forward to continuing its "extremely positive relationship" with the team at the assembly government. |
| The rally has several stages across south and mid Wales | The rally has several stages across south and mid Wales |
| "In fact the Deputy First Minister, Ieuan Wyn Jones, himself noted the importance of the event in 2007 when he said 'The event ensures a high profile for our country and helps drive forward continued growth of our automotive sector,'" said Mr Coe. | "In fact the Deputy First Minister, Ieuan Wyn Jones, himself noted the importance of the event in 2007 when he said 'The event ensures a high profile for our country and helps drive forward continued growth of our automotive sector,'" said Mr Coe. |
| According to a cabinet paper from last October, assembly government support for the Wales Rally GB is £2.2m for each of the three financial years from 2008-2009, with funding from the department for economy's budget. | According to a cabinet paper from last October, assembly government support for the Wales Rally GB is £2.2m for each of the three financial years from 2008-2009, with funding from the department for economy's budget. |
| Conservative heritage spokesman Alun Cairns AM said the decision undermined the assembly government's commitment to attracting major sporting events to Wales. | |
| "Only yesterday ministers were talking up the importance of the Ryder Cup to the Welsh economy and to tourism," he said. | |
| "Twenty four hours later those same ministers pulled the plug on £2m in funding for an equally prestigious event which Wales has hosted with distinction for many years." | |
| The decision to withdraw funding comes a day after the assembly government decided to relinquish one of its two hospitality boxes at the Millennium Stadium when the current contracts expire later this year. | The decision to withdraw funding comes a day after the assembly government decided to relinquish one of its two hospitality boxes at the Millennium Stadium when the current contracts expire later this year. |
| Hospitality boxes | Hospitality boxes |
| The boxes, which are located in prime position on the halfway line in the stadium were inherited by the assembly government following the 2006 merger with the Welsh Development Agency and the Wales Tourist Board, who used the boxes to entertain potential investors. | The boxes, which are located in prime position on the halfway line in the stadium were inherited by the assembly government following the 2006 merger with the Welsh Development Agency and the Wales Tourist Board, who used the boxes to entertain potential investors. |
| Since February 2007, they have been used for the twin purpose of entertaining key potential business investors in Wales, but also to reward and recognise those who have given outstanding service to the community. | Since February 2007, they have been used for the twin purpose of entertaining key potential business investors in Wales, but also to reward and recognise those who have given outstanding service to the community. |
| According to the assembly government, the two boxes have, over the past five years played a part in generating about 1,500 new jobs promised by inward investors, many of them being high value jobs paying high value salaries. | According to the assembly government, the two boxes have, over the past five years played a part in generating about 1,500 new jobs promised by inward investors, many of them being high value jobs paying high value salaries. |
| Last December, a report to ministers warned Wales had to "raise its game" if it was to become a serious player in the global market for major events. | Last December, a report to ministers warned Wales had to "raise its game" if it was to become a serious player in the global market for major events. |