Spending Review: Verity to lead exhibition putting best of the North on display

The Government will £5 million in the project and a further £15 million a Great Exhibition Legacy Fund to spend on future cultural projects across the North.

Sir Gary, who received national aclaim for Yorkshire’s hosting of the start of the Tour de France cycle race last year, said: “I am honoured to have been appointed to spearhead this exciting project which will celebrate and showcase the arts, culture and design we have in the North.

“We will be bringing together all the counties and cities of the north to work collectively to shout loud and proud about what we have to offer domestically and internationally. There are some very exciting times ahead!”

The autumn statement also included the promise of Government help for Hull Capital of Culture in 2017.

The Chancellor announced it will receive £1 million of help following lobbying by Hull West and Hessle MP Alan Johnson.

Documents released alongside the autumn statement also revealed the Government is backing a bid for the North of England to host the Rugby League World Cup in 2021.

The Autumn Statement ‘blue book’ said the event would “build on the enormous success of the Rugby Union World Cup”.

The book also confirmed the Government’s support for a bid for the cycling Road World Championships to be held in the North.

Earlier this year the Government pledged to “cement Yorkshire as the home of British cycling .”