Once in a lifetime opportunity already benefiting local businesses
Sporting legacy from London 2012 taking shape
Just back from the U.S. where he delivered a speech at the Atlantic Council meeting, Secretary of State for Defence Rt Hon Philip Hammond MP visited the South West yesterday to hear and see first-hand how Weymouth is already benefiting from London hosting the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games this summer.
Mr Hammond met with a local MP, Dorset police and port authorities onboard Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship RFA Mounts Bay to hear about local plans for the Games and to discuss security of the Weymouth Olympic venue
Whilst in Weymouth, Mr Hammond also saw how the 2012 London Games is inspiring a generation to be more active and creating a sporting legacy by visiting the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy.
The Defence Secretary said: “It is a pleasure to visit Weymouth today to see the benefits that the 2012 London Olympic and Paralympic games is bringing to the town and to the wider South West region. The SailingAcademy here is without doubt a world class facility and, together with local businesses and services and the backing of the local community, this summer’s Olympic and Paralympic watersports events will be a great spectacle for Britain and the world to enjoy. The Royal Navy will form an integral part of the security operation around Weymouth during the Games with HMS Bulwark and RFAMountsBay and a contingent of Royal Marines assisting the Dorset Police in securing the area. “
Also, yesterday morning, Philip Hammond attended a Cabinet meeting on the Olympic Park in Stratford, East London, chaired by the Prime Minister David Cameron. The meeting focused on how every part of the UK can take full advantage of the Olympic and Paralympic Games and the unique chance that that the country has to sell itself to a massive international audience.
While in the afternoon, Cabinet Ministers visited towns and cities across the United Kingdom to see for themselves how businesses, sports facilities, schools and organisations are benefiting from the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
With little over seven months before the opening ceremony, the construction phase is 95% complete and the project continues to be on time and on budget. Since work began on the East London site in 2008, £6.39billion worth of contracts have been awarded to over 1500 business in the UK, with £12.77million worth going to the South West.
Prime Minister David Cameron said: “As we kick off 2012, the year of the Olympic and Paralympic Games and the Diamond Jubilee, this is the perfect time for the Cabinet to come together and ensure we are doing absolutely everything we can to make the most of this unique opportunity to showcase all the great things the UK has to offer to the rest of the world.”
Cameron added: "As Ministers visit Olympic venues, businesses, schools and organisations associated with 2012 right across the UK, I want the message to go out loud and clear, from tourism to business, sport to investment, we are determined to maximise the benefits of 2012 for the whole country.
Today, as we mark 200 days to go, and 6 out of the 8 Olympic venues having already secured their future, we are well on track to delivering a lasting legacy for the whole ofBritain."
Boosting tourism numbers
It is believed hosting the Games this summer will put the United Kingdom in the international spotlight and the Government is committed to ensuring that the tourism sector maximises the benefits, boosting investment, jobs and growth. Domestic tourism will benefit from a 20.12 per cent discount initiative recently announced by Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt and during a trip to New York last September the Prime Minister launched the GREAT campaign which will focus on promoting globally everything the UK has to offer. The campaign will showcase the opportunities to invest in the UK and help to attract millions of extra visitors.
Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport, Jeremy Hunt said; “London 2012 gives us an opportunity to showcase the best of Britain to the world and what this country has to offer. From our beautiful countryside to historic sites, sporting venues to our amazing cultural offer Britain really does have something for everyone. I am confident that we will put on a sporting spectacular this summer with some magical, medal moments that we will never forget and that will inspire many young people to get involved in sport.”
Sports in the UK will also receive a boost as part of the Olympic legacy with many of the world-class venues being opened up to local communities and initiatives to support sport in schools, communities and elite athletes continuing after the Games.