The London Levy

The row over the levy being imposed on Londoners to pay for the 2012 Olympics is heating up.

Lord Sebastian Coe, head of the London Olympics, has entered the row.

He has written a letter to Bexley Council leader Councillor, Chris Ball. In the letter Lord Coe stressed that Londoners' cash is not being used to build Olympic facilities.

Bexley has been the heart of a campaign opposed to the council tax levy imposed by London Mayor Ken Livingstone for the next 10 years, to help meet the bill for the 2012 Games.

A petition is being raised to oppose the levy, which will be taken to Downing Street.

The campaign claims the levy is unfair because it is making Londoners help pay for the Games and underwrite any losses, while the benefits will be felt across the country.

Lord Coe claims that Londoners' cash will be used to finance improvements to London's infrastructure, and provide a legacy for present and future generations of Londoners.

Quote:

"We have to plan now for the type of community which will be living in the area in 25 years.

We need to plan the infrastructure, the utilities and the telecommunications now if we are to have a modern, diverse and integrated community for our children and their children."

The anti levy spokesman, John Flunder, retorted saying that Lord Coe had not said anything Londoners did not already know.

Quote:

"The infrastructure of east London was already earmarked for development whether or not London won the Olympics.

But Londoners have also been committed to share any losses from the Games with the Lottery.

And Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell has refused to cap London's contribution, so we are facing an unknown bill at the end of the Games."

As often noted, the Olympics are not about sport but about money.