Many Londoners are still not aware that the Londoners Only Olympic ax commenced in April of this year and that they are already paying it in their Council Tax payments, and will continue to do so for the next 10 years (this will raise £575 million).    If this £575 million is not enough then Londoners, and only Londoners will be lumbered with a further £50 million extra tax over an additional 2 years.     This additional £50 million has been calculated by the "experts to cover any " cost overruns ".   (so we are told).   

Showing a positive lack of confidence in the " experts " figures Secretary of State Tessa Jowell has flatly refused to limit any further Olympic Taxes on Londoners Only to the extra £50 Million over a further 2 years, despite being asked to do so. 

In reply to a question from Richard Ottawa (Con - Croydon South) -(Quote) " I wish the Secretary of State well in her efforts to mitigate any cost overrun, but can she give some clarity as to who will pay for any overrun.   I represent a London seat and my Constituents already face a substantial bill over a long period.   Can she assure me that the costs overrun will be borne nationally, not just by the people of London " (Unquote)

 REPLY BY TESSA JOWELL

NO, I CANNOT GIVE THE HON GENTLEMAN THAT ASSURANCE.   HE KNOWS THAT THE AGREEMENT THAT WAS SIGNED, WHICH IS PART OF THE CANDIDATE FILE, MADE IT ABSOLUTELY CLEAR THAT THERE WAS A BUDGET THAT WOULD FUND THE INFRASTRUCTURE FOR THE OLYMPIC GAMES, AND THAT ANY COSTS BEYOND THAT WOULD BE MET ON THE BASIS OF A SHARED AGREEMENT, AS AT THAT TIME UNSPECIFIED, BETWEEN THE LOTTERY, THE COUNCIL TAX PAYER, AND, ULTIMATELY, THE EXCHEQUER." (Unquote).

Susan Kramer (Lib-Dem - Richmond Park LD) asked (Quote) " The Secretary of State will be aware that the £625 Million already agreed as London Taxpayers burden for the Olympics includes £50 Million for cost overruns such as she has described as possibly occurring.   Will she at least agree to cap London's burden at that £625 Million, given that an overrun is already included in that figure " (Unquote).

REPLY BY TESSA JOWELL

AS WELL AS BEING SECRETARY OF STATE, I AM A MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR A LONDON CONSTITUENCY.  MY CONSTITUENTS ARE AS CONCERNED AS THOSE OF THE HON LADY ABOUT THE IMPACT ON THE COUNCIL TAX.  IT IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO ENSURE THAT THE COUNCIL TAX BURDEN IS MINIMISED.   WE HAVE HAD HERE, AND IN ANOTHER PLACE, MANY DEBATES ON WHETHER THE ULTIMATE AMOUNT SHOULD BE CAPPED, AND THE REASONS AS TO WHY NOT HAVE BEEN CLEARLY SET OUT "  (Unquote)

So when did Londoners learn from their MP's about that "Agreement" that was signed, in 2003, which lumbered us all with an open ended debt which was " as at that time unspecified "?    

(Does anyone know anything about those "many debates" that our elected London MP's presumably knew about, or took part in - but then conveniently forgot to tell us all about them - apart from telling us it would only cost Londoners 38p a week ?

(And can anyone have confidence in this Secretary of State, or her statement that, " it is our responsibility to ensure that the Council Tax burden is minimised ?      I think not !             

                SAY " NO" TO THE LONDONERS ONLY OLYMPIC TAX AND LOSSES.