Funding the Olympics (15 comments)

Perhaps, then, the spokesman would also like to say a) how this "huge boost" will manifest itself in the outer London boroughs, and more especially the outer reaches of those boroughs and b) if the Games are to be a "huge boost" for the rest of the UK as well, why it is that only the people in the GLA area are being asked to make specific contributions? (No, I don't want to hear about "improved infrastructure" because the mayor's pre-2012 plans include precisely nothing for the majority of the London borough of Bromley that is the area beyond Beckenham).

By Jeff Owen, Orpington

I have received my council tax bill this morning and was annoyed to find a £20 levy to fund the Games.

To make matters worse, it seems this will be added on year in year out.

I can see no benefit at all in the Games. If we have to have this inflicted on us why should Londoners pay?

I shall be deducting the £20 from my bill and hope others do the same.

By Karen Trushaden, Feltham

Once again I'm forced to contribute to something without my consent which, mark my words, will turn out to be an absolute fiasco.

The 2012 Olympics will cost us a fortune, the money wasted on this would be better spent on the NHS.

Tony Blair is continually telling us he needs more and more taxes to make the country a better place to live in, yet blows millions on stupid projects like this.

I suppose we'll get another appology after the event, as we did for the Dome - no, we haven't forgotten!

By BJ Bays, Upminster

I totally disagree with the charge for the Olympics 2012 that has been added to the council tax. If all pensioners were to pay their council tax minus the charge for the Olympics, Livingstone would have to think again. There are too many of us to all be put in jail!

By Sheila Rankin, Romford

I think it is disgusting that Londoners have to subsidise the Olympics. We haven't even been guaranteed free tickets and what happens if I move out of a London borough? A refund would probably be out of the question.

Londoners should all stick together and not pay the £20 levy each year. What will the councils do then? Take the thousands of people to court?

By Dawn Gould, Bexleyheath

The Games should be paid for by the whole country including Northern Ireland and big business. The only ones to benefit will be big business and any profits will not be used to reduce council tax after 2012.

By Mark Smith, Bexley

I personally think that it is an outrage that the Games are being funded by an increased tax on Londoners. Who asked us if we wanted the Olympics?

If, as we are constantly being told, the Games will benefit the whole country, why isn't the whole country paying for them? I have always supported Mayor Livingstone but not after this.

By Andrew Curtis, Hounslow

I think it is disgusting how we are being expected to pay for the 2012 Olympics. I believe the Olympics will be nothing but an expensive shambles which will be an open invitation for terrorism.

I oppose the Games and am angry that my already inaffordable council tax is being pushed up even more by something I don't want.

Our money should be spent on something far more important like the NHS and deporting terrorists. I agree with David Clark of Bexley.

By Steph W, Welling

I am looking forward enormously to the Olympics being held in London and think we are very privileged to have won the honour.

And since I consider my council tax bill of nearly £2,000 for a three-bedroom house to be outrageous in the first place, I am thrilled to pay for something of which I can see the benefit.

Karen, Bromley

Me too, I'm not forking out.

Chris Holmes, London

Now that Lord Sebastion Coe and his associates have notified local authorities that an 'allowance for overspend' has been included in the 2012 London Olympics estimates, and that £7 is coming from other sources for every £1 that Londoners pay in extra tax, instead of the £3 we were previously informed about, there surely is now no need to insist that Londoners be held responsible for any losses the 2012 London Olympics incur.

If what Lord Coe and Tessa Jowell are now saying is to be believed - then they can cancel the extra tax on Londoners and remove the present obligation on them to help pay off the debts incurred by the 2012 Olympic Games, as according to them there will be no debts, owing to this 'allowance for overspend' already included in the estimates, plus they now have over double the original amount of cash coming in from those 'other sources' i.e. £7 for every £1 extra tax on Londoners instead of the £3 previously announced, so, if their present statements are accurate, they really do not need any cash at all from Londoners, there is already enough in that Olympic pot.

John Flunder, Bexleyheath

I think all the people who voted for the Olympics should pay the extra on their council tax bill - I bet they would change their tune then.

Sounded like a good idea at the time but surely they knew the funding had to come from somewhere. I feel sorry for the elderly and people like myself. I'm a housewife, three children, husband working ten days a week for us to have our heads just above water. We've been together for 16 years and never had a holiday.

Maybe another riot is needed for us to be heard.

Vicky, Sidcup

I have twice emailed the mayor's office regarding this unfair imposition. I had detailed replies from them but they are determined to collect the money come what may. The only alternative seems to be don't pay the extra levy and risk the visit from the bailiffs!

D Daws, Orpington

I agree with Mr Flunder, my wife and I will not benefit from the Olympics and so we are not going to pay for it.

I know several other people in our area who are of the same opinion. Why should we pay £28.89 a year for 10 years for something we will not use located in east London?

Council tax payers for the whole country should all pay rather than just London residents.

Colin Black, Hounslow

I am hopping mad about this Olympic levy. I have no interest in the Olympics and don't see why I should pay towards it.

In fact, I feel so strongly about it that I am leaving Greater London and moving further into Kent. The Mayor of London can pay my share!

I believe that the Olympic levy should be optional and paid by those who are interested in it. It should NOT be paid by the honest citizens of Greater London Authority who are currently paying out excess money on rising gas and council tax bills as well as Thames Water profits.

Linda Rayfield, Erith

What do you think? Should everyone in the UK pay for the London Olympics? What about pensioners who may not see the benefits from the Games? Click here to send your comments