Eight billion now seems a fairly official total figure.
Ony a bit over three times the original government estimate.
But where will it end?
Wednesday, 20 December 2006
Friday, 1 December 2006
To cheer you up
Does the thought of happy people bring joy to your heart?
Then here's something you'll like.
The big fat builders of London are laughing till their bellies wobble.
They smell money!
As the Ad says "Costing up to £6.5bn the Games will provide work for virtually every sector of the construction industry and its associated services."
Note that £6.5 bn.
They know that Tessa Jowell's only teasing when she says she'll just be throwing around a measly £3.3bn.
No, £6.5bn is what they've got their eyes on - for starters, anyway, before all the extras that are bound to occur when specifications get changed...
Taxpayers should remember that this figure is just for building. There's also going to be a vast security expenditure, and the actual cost of running things. And there will have to be a massive IT project, and you know what they cost...
Still, it will all give a fortnight's pleasure to some egotistical athletes.
So it has to be worth it.
Doesn't it?
Then here's something you'll like.
The big fat builders of London are laughing till their bellies wobble.
They smell money!
As the Ad says "Costing up to £6.5bn the Games will provide work for virtually every sector of the construction industry and its associated services."
Note that £6.5 bn.
They know that Tessa Jowell's only teasing when she says she'll just be throwing around a measly £3.3bn.
No, £6.5bn is what they've got their eyes on - for starters, anyway, before all the extras that are bound to occur when specifications get changed...
Taxpayers should remember that this figure is just for building. There's also going to be a vast security expenditure, and the actual cost of running things. And there will have to be a massive IT project, and you know what they cost...
Still, it will all give a fortnight's pleasure to some egotistical athletes.
So it has to be worth it.
Doesn't it?
Not such a bad idea
An architect is moaning that budget cuts could turn the Olympics into a "plasterboard and tarmac" affair. his view is that big-name architects chould be paid a lot of money to design flashy buildings that would be as memorable as the Millennium Dome or Diana's Fountain.
But plasterboard and tarmac sounds good to me. Why not earmark just a million quid (which is actually a lot of money) and get some local building firms to design some reasonable running tracks, etc? Don't bother about fitting audiences into stadiums - we can all watch it on telly anyway if we want to.
Our local secondary school hosts a very adequate sports day on tracks that cost far less than a million.
"What of Britain's prestige?" you ask."Wont the rest of the world giggle if we reveal ourselves to be cheapskates?"
No.
What could be more prestigious than to say in a holier-than-thou voice that it's all been done with the least waste of the planet's valuable resources?
Let's scatter a few recycled ashes to make a track, hire a tent for the boxing and gym displays and use a local pool for the swimming.
And above all save money by cutting out the architects.
But plasterboard and tarmac sounds good to me. Why not earmark just a million quid (which is actually a lot of money) and get some local building firms to design some reasonable running tracks, etc? Don't bother about fitting audiences into stadiums - we can all watch it on telly anyway if we want to.
Our local secondary school hosts a very adequate sports day on tracks that cost far less than a million.
"What of Britain's prestige?" you ask."Wont the rest of the world giggle if we reveal ourselves to be cheapskates?"
No.
What could be more prestigious than to say in a holier-than-thou voice that it's all been done with the least waste of the planet's valuable resources?
Let's scatter a few recycled ashes to make a track, hire a tent for the boxing and gym displays and use a local pool for the swimming.
And above all save money by cutting out the architects.
Monday, 27 November 2006
Contamination costs
This article on the decontamination of the Olympic site makes two interesting points:
- It is way behind schedule
- It will cost far more than anticipated
Sunday, 26 November 2006
Andrew Rawnsley makes the most important point
"We could carpet the country with spanking new hospitals or double the aid budget with the sort of money that is going to be blown on just 17 days of Olympics - and still have change to buy back all those school playing fields that have been flogged off."
Gargantuan
"The disaster that was the dome is now being replicated on an even more gargantuan scale on the other side of the Thames."
Andrew Rawnsley describes the current situation (rather moderately, actually) in The Observer.
Andrew Rawnsley describes the current situation (rather moderately, actually) in The Observer.
Wednesday, 22 November 2006
I want to be a delivery partner
Want to know the most interesting thing about the admitted rise in the Olympic budget? (There are other rises, too, but Tessa Jowell won't admit them, and is hoping we won't notice) .
All is explained in this BBC Q&A
£400 million of the amount they've gone over budget with is to pay for a "delivery partner" - a firm who will ensure they don't go further over budget.
I can't quite get my head round that - but I've decided I'd like to be a delivery partner too. Pay me £400 million and I'll explain to you how you could have saved it. But don't expect your money back.
All is explained in this BBC Q&A
£400 million of the amount they've gone over budget with is to pay for a "delivery partner" - a firm who will ensure they don't go further over budget.
I can't quite get my head round that - but I've decided I'd like to be a delivery partner too. Pay me £400 million and I'll explain to you how you could have saved it. But don't expect your money back.
Seven Billion plus VAT
The papers were saying the cost of the Olympics could be 8 billion. Tessa Jowell admitted costs were rising, but said they would be "only" 3.3 billion.
A 4.7 billion disparity. Which figure is right?
Today's Times suggests that they both are, sort of.
Tessa's 3.3 billion doesn't include the security costs, or the billion for "regeneration" (which means building a load of flats and facilities for the athletes, some of which with luck will be usable afterwards.)
These costs bring her 3.3 up to 7 billion.
And then there is VAT on top of that.
A 4.7 billion disparity. Which figure is right?
Today's Times suggests that they both are, sort of.
Tessa's 3.3 billion doesn't include the security costs, or the billion for "regeneration" (which means building a load of flats and facilities for the athletes, some of which with luck will be usable afterwards.)
These costs bring her 3.3 up to 7 billion.
And then there is VAT on top of that.
Tuesday, 21 November 2006
Going up - officially
I've recently reported speculation about the cost of the Games going as high as £8 billion - even more than the whole wretched war for a fortnight's preening by athletes.
Those speculative figures are contested by the Government that is trying to keep this terrible thing under control, of course.
But now even the Government's official estimates are rocketing. Poor Tessa Jowell, the Culture Secretary (I like the idea that synchronised swimming is culture!) had to admit to the Commons that the bill has gone up by 900 million - and that doesn't include security costs, which since 7/7 have rocketed.
"The extra £900m cost was likely to be met by London council tax payers and lottery funds, Ms Jowell suggested."
The original budget included a contribution of £625m from London council tax payers - which works out at £20 a year for 25 years - and £1.5bn from Lottery games.
How much more will the sporty quango incompetents try to screw out of the people of Britain?
These were the people who gave you the millennium dome remember. Or no - hang on a bit - it was we who gave these thickos the money to squander on that useless tent. The only hope for which is that it will cause more poverty, grief and corruption by becoming a super-casino, thanks to a dodgy deal with Prescott...
Those speculative figures are contested by the Government that is trying to keep this terrible thing under control, of course.
But now even the Government's official estimates are rocketing. Poor Tessa Jowell, the Culture Secretary (I like the idea that synchronised swimming is culture!) had to admit to the Commons that the bill has gone up by 900 million - and that doesn't include security costs, which since 7/7 have rocketed.
"The extra £900m cost was likely to be met by London council tax payers and lottery funds, Ms Jowell suggested."
The original budget included a contribution of £625m from London council tax payers - which works out at £20 a year for 25 years - and £1.5bn from Lottery games.
How much more will the sporty quango incompetents try to screw out of the people of Britain?
These were the people who gave you the millennium dome remember. Or no - hang on a bit - it was we who gave these thickos the money to squander on that useless tent. The only hope for which is that it will cause more poverty, grief and corruption by becoming a super-casino, thanks to a dodgy deal with Prescott...
Monday, 20 November 2006
Let's get this thing in proportion
Some of my previous comments on this blog may have seemed a bit excessive and ranty.
I apologise.
Let's put the Olympics in proportion.
Yesterday's estimate of £8billion for the cost of the Games is not so much when you put it in context.
The Iraq War has so far cost Britain's taxpayers 7 billion.
I'm pondering hard - which is better value -7 billion for causing untold death and distress, destabilising the Middle East and inspiring terrorism in Britain.
Or 8 billion for a fortnight's running, jumping and synchronised swimming.
It's a bit hard to decide.
I apologise.
Let's put the Olympics in proportion.
Yesterday's estimate of £8billion for the cost of the Games is not so much when you put it in context.
The Iraq War has so far cost Britain's taxpayers 7 billion.
I'm pondering hard - which is better value -7 billion for causing untold death and distress, destabilising the Middle East and inspiring terrorism in Britain.
Or 8 billion for a fortnight's running, jumping and synchronised swimming.
It's a bit hard to decide.
Sunday, 19 November 2006
Going up!
With a possible final bill of £8bn London's 2012 Olympics could be the most costly sports event ever.
Read about the latest estimate - 8 billion of our money.
That's three billion up on last week.
What will next week's figure be?
Where will we have got to by 2012?
It's not too late to hand the whole farrago back to the French.
Read about the latest estimate - 8 billion of our money.
That's three billion up on last week.
What will next week's figure be?
Where will we have got to by 2012?
It's not too late to hand the whole farrago back to the French.
Saturday, 18 November 2006
Contaminated games? We've got em!
What caused the speedy defection of Jack Lemley, the American called in at huge expense to be the Games construction supremo?
According to today's Times, Mr Lemley, 71, insisted that his health was not connected to his resignation but he was “very, very concerned” about the extent of toxic material and hazardous waste on the 757-acre site, much of which was industrial land. The clean-up operation could also unearth unexploded bombs dropped during the Blitz.
The American engineer was increasingly frustrated that the process of cleaning the land — known as remediation — had not begun, although contractors had been appointed to carry out the task in June.
According to today's Times, Mr Lemley, 71, insisted that his health was not connected to his resignation but he was “very, very concerned” about the extent of toxic material and hazardous waste on the 757-acre site, much of which was industrial land. The clean-up operation could also unearth unexploded bombs dropped during the Blitz.
The American engineer was increasingly frustrated that the process of cleaning the land — known as remediation — had not begun, although contractors had been appointed to carry out the task in June.
Friday, 17 November 2006
Role models
What is it with sport that brings out the worst in people? The government anti-bullying website
needs a whole page dedicated to parents who
needs a whole page dedicated to parents who
- bully their kids into sporting achievement
- bully other kids who threaten their kids' achievement
- encourage their kids to bully others
Paul Deighton speaks
In October Paul Deighton, chief executive of the London Olympics Organising Committee, told the Culture, Media and Sport Committee: "We are certainly confident at this stage that the sources of revenue are sufficient to leave us at the organising committee with revenues that will match our expected expenditure.
In November they realised that they hadn't included VAT in their accounts.
Are these people fit to run the cake stall at a church bazaar, let alone a multi-billion pound international project with tight deadlines which will humiliate Britain when it fails?
In November they realised that they hadn't included VAT in their accounts.
Are these people fit to run the cake stall at a church bazaar, let alone a multi-billion pound international project with tight deadlines which will humiliate Britain when it fails?
Corruption Olympics
The corruption endemic in modern sport gets especially filthy when the Olympics are involved. Backhanders are doled out by countries whose politicians are eager to show off by hosting the event. Drug abuse is rampant. Everyone lies. Many cheat.
Even the paralympics are not a cheat-free zone.
Once games were for kids. They got rid of high spirits by running around for fun, and throwing and kicking balls. Then some bossyboots said children had got to be organised into teams, and timed. the death of happy play. The birth of sport. The birth of cheating.
Which over the years has got increasingly sophisticate. The next big thing will be genetic doping -undetectable by modern anti-drug techniques.
And so it goes on,..
Even the paralympics are not a cheat-free zone.
Once games were for kids. They got rid of high spirits by running around for fun, and throwing and kicking balls. Then some bossyboots said children had got to be organised into teams, and timed. the death of happy play. The birth of sport. The birth of cheating.
Which over the years has got increasingly sophisticate. The next big thing will be genetic doping -undetectable by modern anti-drug techniques.
And so it goes on,..
Athletics in crisis
The official blog of the British Athletic Supporters Club tries to keep a brave and cheerful face. But look at their news items - almost all about sordid drug scandals.
Is this an activity that deserves huge financial subsidy from ordinary taxpayers like you and me?
Is this an activity that deserves huge financial subsidy from ordinary taxpayers like you and me?
Wembley nearly bankrupted the FA - What will 2012 do for Britain?
Sport and financial good sense don't go together.
Big British building projects and financial good sense don't go together.
Read how Wembley came close to bankrupting the Football Association.
Think what will happen to a really big project when it's in the hands of a great British committee of self-important sports-lovers.
Imagine that overspend.
Think of your tax bill.
Tremble.
Big British building projects and financial good sense don't go together.
Read how Wembley came close to bankrupting the Football Association.
Think what will happen to a really big project when it's in the hands of a great British committee of self-important sports-lovers.
Imagine that overspend.
Think of your tax bill.
Tremble.
Thursday, 16 November 2006
Sports Injuries
This site may be useful to people whose health has been ruined by sporting activities.
We are all drugs cheats now
An Economist article points out that drugs and the Olympics inevitably go together.
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