UK Sport and Sport England merger talks postponed

Paul Dancey on 23/01/2012

The Guardian has reported that merger talks between UK Sport and Sport England have been postponed until after the London Olympics, to try to ensure that internal wrangling over the merger and resistance from sports bodies in the home nations doesn't have a negative impact on the preparations for the Games.

It has also been reported that Sir Keith Mills, who was appointed to oversee merger discussions, has concluded that given the issues that have already emerged over the merger, it might be better to reconsider the entire policy area after the London Games.

The UK Government originally target of completing the merger into "one arm's-length body" by 1st April 2013 now looks unlikely to be met, unless rapid progress on the outstanding issues can be achieved when the London Olympics end in August.

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