Parliament Votes on Olympic Costs

11.35.45am UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 5th Dec 2005

There will be a vote in parliament on Tuesday to limit the cost of the Olympic Games to London council tax payers on the commitment in the Olympic bid.

MP Vincent Cable is supporting the amendment to the London Olympics Bill and is concerned at the way costs appear to be escalating: "I have always been something of a sceptic on the Olympics. But now that London has won it is important that the event is a success, and success means working inside a cash limited budget. There must be a cap on the obligation of London council tax payers but the cost can't simply be off loaded onto national tax payers either. If costs are escalating beyond original estimates the facilities will have to be less ambitious."