Olympics PDF Download

This is the second in a series of National Audit Office reports on the preparations for hosting the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games (the first report was HC 252, session 2006-07, ISBN 9780102944273). It examines the development of the budget - costs, provisions and funding - for the venues and infrastructure required to host the Games and related costs such as security. On 15 March 2007 the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport announced to Parliament the budget for the Games and infrastructure associated with the Olympic Park and other venues totalling £9.325 billion, some £5.289 billion higher than the cost estimate at the time of the bid in gross terms. This increase in cost estimates, along with a reduction in anticipated private sector funding, means that public sector funding for the Games has increased by £5.906 billion (which includes contingency of £2.747 billion which may not be used in full.) The overall conclusion is that the budget announced in March 2007 represents a significant step forward in putting the Games on a sound financial footing and should help those involved in delivering the Olympic programme to move forward with greater confidence. The budget process followed has been thorough, and the judgements and assumptions made by the Department and the Olympic Delivery Authority have been informed by detailed analysis and expert advice. Significant areas of uncertainty remain such as the finalisation of detailed design specifications, the legacy benefits to be delivered, how potential suppliers will respond to invitations to bid for work, and the impact of inflation in construction prices, as reflected in the high level of contingency that has been provided for. A number of recommendations are made covering the management of the budget and risk.