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06/12/2011
Olympic Games To Overshoot Budget
The 2012 Games will exceed its £9.3bn budget without "rigorous action" to cut costs, an Olympics spending watchdog has said.
According to the National Audit Office (NOA) on Tuesday, the likely cost of venue security for the taxpayer has nearly doubled in the last year, to £553 million after one of the committees overseeing security guards more than doubled its estimate for stewards.
The London Organising Committee (LOCOG) said it had estimated it would need 10,000 security guards but now requires some 23,700, and forcing a "significant recruitment challenge".
Amyas Morse, head of the National Audit Office, said: "The programme to deliver the venues and infrastructure for the 2012 Games remains on course, so it looks as if value for money will be achieved in this area.
"However, not everything is rosy. The Government is confident that there is money available to meet known risks, but, in my view, the likelihood that the Games can still be funded within the existing £9.3 billion public sector funding package is so finely balanced that there is a real risk more money will be needed."
According to the report, transport planning has also faced delays and, until completed, the NAO says local authorities, businesses and individuals will remain uninformed about the full impact of the Games on London's transport networks.
Meanwhile, fourteen of the 26 construction projects for the Games have been completed, handed over and the remaining projects are on course.
The Olympic Delivery Authority has also either completed, or is on course to complete, its transport infrastructure projects, such as increasing capacity on the Docklands Light Railway, the NAO said.
The report said: "Overall, for operational planning, good progress is being made across almost all of the principal areas of work. However, detailed work by the delivery bodies has identified significant challenges, particularly in the cost of venue security and some elements of transport planning."
(DW)
According to the National Audit Office (NOA) on Tuesday, the likely cost of venue security for the taxpayer has nearly doubled in the last year, to £553 million after one of the committees overseeing security guards more than doubled its estimate for stewards.
The London Organising Committee (LOCOG) said it had estimated it would need 10,000 security guards but now requires some 23,700, and forcing a "significant recruitment challenge".
Amyas Morse, head of the National Audit Office, said: "The programme to deliver the venues and infrastructure for the 2012 Games remains on course, so it looks as if value for money will be achieved in this area.
"However, not everything is rosy. The Government is confident that there is money available to meet known risks, but, in my view, the likelihood that the Games can still be funded within the existing £9.3 billion public sector funding package is so finely balanced that there is a real risk more money will be needed."
According to the report, transport planning has also faced delays and, until completed, the NAO says local authorities, businesses and individuals will remain uninformed about the full impact of the Games on London's transport networks.
Meanwhile, fourteen of the 26 construction projects for the Games have been completed, handed over and the remaining projects are on course.
The Olympic Delivery Authority has also either completed, or is on course to complete, its transport infrastructure projects, such as increasing capacity on the Docklands Light Railway, the NAO said.
The report said: "Overall, for operational planning, good progress is being made across almost all of the principal areas of work. However, detailed work by the delivery bodies has identified significant challenges, particularly in the cost of venue security and some elements of transport planning."
(DW)
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Regulatory body for security guards and bouncers launched
In a shake up of the private security industry announced today bouncers and wheel clampers will have to be licensed and regulated by the new Security Industry Authority (SIA). The measures are designed to protect the public from rogue operators and create higher standards of recruitment and training for private security operatives and managers.
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Security Provider Appointed For 2014 Games
Selex EX, an Italian-owned electronics and IT firm, has been chosen to provide security measures for the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. The firm, which is part of the Finmeccanica industrial group, has been appointed Official Protective Perimeter Security Provider for the event.
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People charged for phone calls made to try and secure Commonwealth Games tickets, but only got an engaged tone, are to be given refunds. It was discovered that callers where charged despite not being able to get through, a mistake that organisers of the Games, Glasgow 2014, have apologised for.
Callers To Be Refunded For Commonwealth Games Ticketing Problems
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Olympic Village Handover Marks Six Months To Games
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Olympic Village Handover Marks Six Months To Games
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Met Cops 'Get On Their Bikes'
A new, 30-strong Police Cycle Task Force hit the streets of London today, as the police force, the Mayor and Transport for London (TfL) published a draft plan for tackling cycle theft and vandalism in the capital. The Task Force forms part of the Metropolitan Police Service's Safer Transport Command team and is funded by TfL.
Met Cops 'Get On Their Bikes'
A new, 30-strong Police Cycle Task Force hit the streets of London today, as the police force, the Mayor and Transport for London (TfL) published a draft plan for tackling cycle theft and vandalism in the capital. The Task Force forms part of the Metropolitan Police Service's Safer Transport Command team and is funded by TfL.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
