‘Shot in arm’ for UK businesses

The London 2012 Games are already delivering a ‘shot in the arm’ for UK companies, said ODA Chief Executive David Higgins at a conference today.
Speaking at a conference hosted by the Major Projects Association, Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) Chief Executive David Higgins today described how the London 2012 Games will benefit the UK.

He said: ‘There has been some discussion this week questioning the economic and regeneration benefits that hosting the London 2012 Games will bring. In fact, the preparations to host the Games are already delivering a shot in the arm for UK plc at a time of need and the work we are doing to build the Olympic Park will be felt long after 2012.’

In a challenging economic climate, work on the Park has already created nearly 3,000 new jobs with nearly one in ten of those working on site previously unemployed. During the peak of construction around 9,000 construction workers will be needed on the Park.

The Games are also already creating huge opportunities for UK businesses with over 800 companies, 98 per cent of them UK based, securing over £3.5bn worth of work to supply the ODA to date.

David added: ‘With work on the Park accelerating, the Games will continue to offer businesses of all sizes a range of opportunities at a difficult time.’

75p in every £1 being spent by the ODA is on the long-term regeneration of east London. David concluded: ‘Our plans for London 2012 are driven by legacy and together with the economic benefits the Games are already delivering, the positive impact of hosting the Games will also be felt long after 2012.