David Cameron To Add £41m to 2012 Olympics Opening Budget
Discussion
I was surprised to hear that Cameron has personally stepped in to ensure the doubling of the budget for the 2012 Olympic ceremony by an extra £41m from £40m.
Was this expected and does anyone have the 'real story'? I know that in the scale of things £41m isn’t much, but shouldn’t we be demonstrating a commitment to making savings where possible?
Does demonstrating our culture is depend on how many fireworks we pay for anyway? All this does is encourage the public sector to keep spending on rubbish where it should be cutting.
Telegraph link: London 2012 Olympics: David Cameron steps in to double budget for opening and closing ceremonies
Was this expected and does anyone have the 'real story'? I know that in the scale of things £41m isn’t much, but shouldn’t we be demonstrating a commitment to making savings where possible?
Does demonstrating our culture is depend on how many fireworks we pay for anyway? All this does is encourage the public sector to keep spending on rubbish where it should be cutting.
Telegraph link: London 2012 Olympics: David Cameron steps in to double budget for opening and closing ceremonies
Why not. I think we should be giving our all to the olympics. Maybe not all for the opening cermony (no one is going to beat the military precision of the chinese for a while, unless the next one is in north korea), but this is a chance to show the world we can still do some things right.
Apache said:
Well every odd million here and there adds up to £billions. I don't think this is the time for spunking more money up the wall. OzzyR1 said:
CoolC said:
I just can't imagine how and opening ceremony costs £81M
That's what? the cost of a hospital?!
Nah, a mid-size hosptal would be 5x that.That's what? the cost of a hospital?!
0a said:
Apache said:
Well every odd million here and there adds up to £billions. I don't think this is the time for spunking more money up the wall. CoolC said:
Even so, £81M for a few people to walk around in circles holding a flag and a few fireworks (simplistic I know but you get my drift)
They have apparently not decided on what they are going to do, and won’t start auditions until February. I reckon this might be an expensive and embarrassing load of PC rubbish, but we’ll see…CoolC said:
Even so, £81M for a few people to walk around in circles holding a flag and a few fireworks (simplistic I know but you get my drift)
In fairness they're doing the walking around and firework thing four times within this figure.(Olympics opening, Olympics closing, Paralympics opening and Paralympics closing).I guess some of you are underestimating or even completely discounting any possible economic benefits to the UK resulting from the olympics.
I am not saying there are any (though I expect there are I cannot be arsed to look for evidence), but I expect Dave isn't doing this 'on a whim'.
I am not saying there are any (though I expect there are I cannot be arsed to look for evidence), but I expect Dave isn't doing this 'on a whim'.
Yep, know exactly what you mean but I am guessing that the cost of the policing will be in excess of £10M, shipping them in from forces elsewhere in UK, putting them up for at least 2 nights, food, 3x days overtime (day travelling each side of ceremony) etc etc
Then there's other security, stadium attendants, dunno if the exorbitant allowance for tube/overground drivers is in here, transport for heads of other countries and VIPs to and from the stadium, probably hotel costs in the thousands at the Dorchester and it's ilk for heads of other countries and VIPs if the truth is known, then you get to the fireworks, people putting on displays etc.
Stupid amount of cash but can see how it adds up when people are allowed to go mental with other people's (taxpayers) money.
Then there's other security, stadium attendants, dunno if the exorbitant allowance for tube/overground drivers is in here, transport for heads of other countries and VIPs to and from the stadium, probably hotel costs in the thousands at the Dorchester and it's ilk for heads of other countries and VIPs if the truth is known, then you get to the fireworks, people putting on displays etc.
Stupid amount of cash but can see how it adds up when people are allowed to go mental with other people's (taxpayers) money.
Edited by OzzyR1 on Tuesday 6th December 17:55
johnfm said:
I guess some of you are underestimating or even completely discounting any possible economic benefits to the UK resulting from the olympics.
I am not saying there are any (though I expect there are I cannot be arsed to look for evidence), but I expect Dave isn't doing this 'on a whim'.
This is a controversial issue, but it surely can’t be a good thing holding an Olympics in the year that will be the one of the worst in terms of global recession. We’re much less likely to get a return on our Olympic spending. Jesus, £9bn. I am not saying there are any (though I expect there are I cannot be arsed to look for evidence), but I expect Dave isn't doing this 'on a whim'.
Could we not have done a ‘budget Olympics’ concentrating on the athletes, international cooperation and healthy competition? Could we not use it to encourage kids to exercise?
As it is it’s got the New Labour “spend a lot and it will be good” stamp on it.
king killing out of the olympics, working for free only makes them richer. 9 billion spent on sport and fitness at school level in this country would have been a far better investment than the olympics.
And I would like to read some studies on the actual economic benefits for the countries who have held it in the recent past:
Spain, USA, Australia, Greece, China - what did their economies gain?
And I would like to read some studies on the actual economic benefits for the countries who have held it in the recent past:
Spain, USA, Australia, Greece, China - what did their economies gain?
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