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London Olympics could cost £9bn London Olympics could cost £9bn
(about 8 hours later)
The cost of the 2012 London Olympics could rise to nearly four times the figure set out in the city's bid for the Games, the BBC has learned.The cost of the 2012 London Olympics could rise to nearly four times the figure set out in the city's bid for the Games, the BBC has learned.
The Treasury and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport are discussing a price of £9bn - up from the £2.35bn set out in London's bid document.The Treasury and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport are discussing a price of £9bn - up from the £2.35bn set out in London's bid document.
The government believes construction alone could cost £3.3bn, with an extra £2bn allocated as a contingency fund.The government believes construction alone could cost £3.3bn, with an extra £2bn allocated as a contingency fund.
Regeneration costs of £1.8bn and a £1bn VAT bill have also been added.Regeneration costs of £1.8bn and a £1bn VAT bill have also been added.
Security costs have also risen to at least £900m.Security costs have also risen to at least £900m.
The Shadow Culture Secretary, Hugo Swire, said the news was "staggering", and said Chancellor Gordon Brown should take responsibility, because he signed off the original budget.
"There is no doubt that there will be real worries across the country about the huge increase in costs... it is time we got a proper explanation from Gordon Brown on what has gone on and assurances as to what the government is doing to control the ever-increasing budget," he said.
In the wake of heavy criticism of the government's handling of the games, Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell admitted to parliament in November that the cost of the Games would rise by £900m - 40% - to £3.3bn.In the wake of heavy criticism of the government's handling of the games, Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell admitted to parliament in November that the cost of the Games would rise by £900m - 40% - to £3.3bn.
But critics have continued to express wide-ranging concerns about planning, over everything from transport to the burden on the tax payer and effect on the National Lottery's funding of good causes in order to meet costs.But critics have continued to express wide-ranging concerns about planning, over everything from transport to the burden on the tax payer and effect on the National Lottery's funding of good causes in order to meet costs.
Decontamination workDecontamination work
The Treasury's insistence on how the budget is drawn up is thought to have considerably added to the costs of the games.The Treasury's insistence on how the budget is drawn up is thought to have considerably added to the costs of the games.
It is understood it now insisting a 60% contingency should be to be added to the construction cost.It is understood it now insisting a 60% contingency should be to be added to the construction cost.
But this figure has been resisted both by the Mayor of London Ken Livingstone and also the DCMS.But this figure has been resisted both by the Mayor of London Ken Livingstone and also the DCMS.
Both of them would like a much lower contingency, a view that appears to have support from CLM, the Delivery Partners.Both of them would like a much lower contingency, a view that appears to have support from CLM, the Delivery Partners.
A variety of other factors are also at play.A variety of other factors are also at play.
These include rise in commodity prices, adjustments to transport figures to reflect 2012 prices and a revised estimate for inflation on construction costs.These include rise in commodity prices, adjustments to transport figures to reflect 2012 prices and a revised estimate for inflation on construction costs.
The land in the east end of London chosen for the site also needs decontamination and major remedial work before it can be fit for the games.The land in the east end of London chosen for the site also needs decontamination and major remedial work before it can be fit for the games.
The Treasury has also decided that the Olympic Development Authority will have to pay VAT.The Treasury has also decided that the Olympic Development Authority will have to pay VAT.
While VAT is in effect paid to the Treasury, the cash initially still has to be found before it is reclaimed.While VAT is in effect paid to the Treasury, the cash initially still has to be found before it is reclaimed.