Prime Minister backs Yorkshire's Grand Départ (From York Press)

Prime Minister David Cameron backs Yorkshire's Grand Départ

1:27pm Monday 28th January 2013 in Tour de France By Julie Hayes, Business editor

PRIME Minister David Cameron and the Cabinet have pledged their support for Yorkshire's hosting of the Tour de France's Grand Départ 2014.

Gary Verity, chief executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, was invited by Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg MP to a meeting in Leeds, chaired by David Cameron, to brief the Cabinet about how Le Tour was secured for the county and how Government departments can help in the next 18 months.

Mr Verity is also to meet Culture Secretary Maria Miller in Hebden Bridge this afternoon, one of the places on the route of Grand Départ 2014, to talk in more detail about the legacy of hosting the event, which according to early estimates could generate £100 million for the region's economy.

Gary Verity said: “Being asked to brief the Cabinet about the Tour de France shows how seriously this Government is taking the Grand Départ. This is undoubtedly a moment for the whole country not just Yorkshire to celebrate and today’s positive discussions and feedback from the Cabinet show we are now moving in the right direction.

“Make no mistake this is a national event, co-ordinated in Yorkshire, for the benefit of Britain. The Cabinet understood that today and I look forward to more positive conversations in the weeks and months ahead.”