Univeral's theme park announcement has been branded a "distraction" amid an ongoing global trade war. The UK Governement confirmed a huge theme park will be built in Bedford, and it's expected to bring £50billion to the economy.

Rebecca Harding, of the centre for economic security, said on ITV News: "The world economy is on the brink of something very dangerous if everybody starts a retaliatory trade war. The Government has to be very careful to not be looking at something that almost seems trivial. Here's a theme park, here's a distraction." The attraction would open in 2031 on the site of the former Kempston Hardwick brickworks near Bedford, creating an estimated 28,000 jobs.

ITV political correspondent Louisa James said the economic news and deal with the US may "not be a coincidence" in a week where there is a "lot less positive stuff coming out of America".

Universal estimated the 476-acre complex could attract 8.5 million visitors in its first year.

After meeting the head of Universal at Downing Street, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said it would "see Bedford home to one of the biggest entertainment parks in Europe, firmly putting the county on the global stage".

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy celebrated the "landmark investment" as "fantastic news" for the UK economy.

Universal Destinations and Experience said 80 percent of those employed in the new jobs would be from Bedfordshire and surrounding areas.

Construction is expected to start in 2026 after a full planning proposal is submitted to the UK government.

Universal has theme parks in Orlando and Los Angeles in the US, as well as Osaka, Japan, Sentosa, Singapore, and Beijing, China.

Its Florida resort brought in 9.75 million visitors in 2023, while its Hollywood park welcomed 9.66 million.