Report on the Proposed Grant to UDX Development Company Ltd

On August 12, 2026, the Grants Advisory Unit (GAU) published its report on the proposed grant by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) to UDX Development Company Limited. This evaluation reviews the compliance of the grant with the laws established in the Subsidy Control Act 2022.

Grant of Particular Interest

The DCMS requested the GAU on June 30, 2026, to evaluate this grant, considered of particular interest. The grant involves a contribution of £400 million to UDX, to facilitate its expansion in the UK with the construction of a theme park in Bedfordshire. This project is expected to have a significant economic impact, both locally and nationally.

The grant is anticipated to secure foreign direct investment of over £6 billion, boosting the economy with an estimated £50 billion. Approximately 28,000 jobs in creative, hospitality, and construction industries are also expected to be created.

Government Support and Funding Structure

The funding comes from the Exceptional Regional Growth Fund, under Section 8 of the Industrial Development Act 1982. This fund is part of the UK government's support for the project, although there are elements beyond the scope of this submission. The funding agreement will be monitored to ensure that the funded activities meet requirements.

The disbursement of the grant will occur during the "Grand Opening," scheduled no earlier than April 2031. This project is part of the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy (2025), which aims to increase business investment in the creative industries.

Participation of Third Parties

Third parties may submit comments on the compliance evaluation before July 14, 2026. They should send submissions to the DCMS at the provided email address, indicating if any part is confidential. The GAU will share these submissions with the DCMS and may use them in its report.

It is critical that comments can be shared with the DCMS so that the authority can assess whether to grant, modify, or deny the subsidy.

For more details on how confidentiality is managed, please refer to the section on the disclosure of confidential information in the operation of the Grants Advisory Unit's subsidy control functions.