The UK could be losing out in the race to host major sports events due to the heavy tax regime.

According to Brigid Simmonds, chair of the Central Council of Physical recreation (CCPR), the British tax system is likely to put international sports bodies off the idea of hosting games in the UK.

Speaking at the annual CCPR conference in London yesterday (7 May), she said: “There is no doubt that we are losing out on major events because of the heavy-handed way in which tax on sport is treated in this country.

“In other countries, the authorities go out of their way to attract major sporting events – international and European competitions which bring in a great deal of money, local investment and prestige.”