LONDONERS PAYMENT FOR THE OLYMPICS MUST BE CAPPED - DOOCEY

12.01.00am GMT Wed 16th Nov 2005

At today's Mayor's Question Time at City Hall, Liberal Democrat London Assembly member Dee Doocey will be asking on behalf of all London's Council Taxpayers for a categorical assurance from Mayor Ken Livingstone that the council tax payers will not be asked to pay more than £20 a year (in a Band D house) towards funding the 2012 London Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Dee Doocey, who also chairs the London Assembly's Economic, Culture, Sport and Tourism Committee speaking before the meeting said:

"The Games offers a wonderful opportunity for London and indeed the whole nation. From going around the capital, I know that Londoners are happy to pay their share of the staging costs, but they need firm evidence that these costs will be capped.

"Government Ministers and the Mayor of London saying "trust us" is not that categorical assurance. At Mayor's Question Time I want the Mayor of London's promise on record - no Band D London Council taxpayer will be asked for any more than £20 a year for 12 years as their contribution to the Games."

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS

In a memorandum of understanding drawn up between the Mayor and government Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell in 2003, agreement was reached that London's Council Taxpayers would only be asked for a maximum of £625million as a contribution towards paying for the Games. This money will be raised by a levy on Council taxpayers of £20 a year (Band D) for a total of 12 years.

Since being awarded the games in July of this year both the Mayor of London and Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell MP have refused to confirm that the £625million will be the limit of what Londoners are asked to contribute towards the Games.

ENDS