‘Londoners should pay more’

2:26pm Thursday 19th October 2006

OLYMPICS Minister Tessa Jowell believes it is "fair" that Londoners pay at least £240 in additional Council Tax to fund the 2012 games, while people in other parts of the country avoid paying a penny.

She said it was the norm for inhabitants of Olympic cities to pay more and added that it was justified, taking into account the benefits and legacies the Olympics offer.

The MP for Culture, Media, Sport and the Olympics was speaking to the Guardian during the launch of a physical health programme for mental health users in northeast London at Goodmayes Hospital last week.

Ms Jowell said: "It is fair that Londoners are paying extra.

"You will find that every host city makes a larger contribution than the country as a whole because the host city is the principal beneficiary."

Londoners living in Band D properties are currently paying 38p per week extra in Council Tax, which started at the start of this financial year.

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport confirmed that it will last until at least 2018.

That means that Band D property occupants will pay £20 more a year - £240 towards the cost of the games by 2018.

Barcelonians, Sydneians and Athenians, meanwhile, are still paying off their debts, and the people of Montreal have only just finished forking out for their games, which took place 30 years ago.

Ms Jowell added: "While we hope that there will be benefits to the whole country, from tourism, from training camps and the very high level of economic activity the Olympics will generate, it is undoubtedly the case that most of the benefit will fall to London and London's economy.

"So it is fair that Londoners pay what is a relatively modest amount to contribute towards the cost of the games.

"The Olympics is the greatest sporting event in the world, and there will be very few people in London who won't feel that this will be one of the most exciting months of their lives."

l Do you think Londoners should pay more for the Olympics? Send your views to ladams@london.newsquest.co.uk, or to Leigh Adams, Guardian House, 480-500 Larkshall Rd, Highams Park, London E4 9GD.