Olympic jobs for Londoners questioned

26/08/2008

Questions have been raised as to whether or not the Olympic Delivery Authority can carry through its promise to deliver jobs in the construction industry of the five London boroughs in which the event is being held.

A total of 11,000 new jobs were promised by the group, although it is thought that a lack of skilled workers in the east of London is likely to mean that the target of ten to 15 of workers coming from the area may not be met.

Additionally, the BBC reports that the downturn in the construction industry in general may cause problems.

Currently over one-fifth of the workforce comes from the five London boroughs including Hackney, Tower Hamlets, Waltham Forest, Newham and Greenwhich in which the event is being held.

MP for Hackney Diane Abbot told the BBC: "Despite the billions of pounds being poured into the construction of the Olympic park, the numerous training programmes and the huge amount of labour that needs doing, the number of people from the East End who have received jobs remains low."

She added that to see good sustainability and on-going benefits from the London Olympics, a higher proportion from the local area will need to be found.

Currently, the cost for the Olympic stadium alone has hit the £525 million pound mark, around five per cent of the total Olympic budget.

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