From the Financial Times ‘ Lex column:
“Government-commissioned cost benefit analysis claims the Olympics will create 3,000 jobs. However, US research by academics Andrew Zimbalist and Roger G. Noll concludes that sports facilities do not enhance local economies, do little for job creation and do not cover the cost of higher taxes.”
Indeed.
Meanwhile Blair, always looking to increase the size, scope and reach of government (another reason why he gets on with some in the GOP, perhaps?) has just appointed a talentless nonentity as “Olympics minister.” She will have full cabinet rank.Of course she will.
Here’s a kindly – and thoroughly deserved – verdict on Ms Jowell from the London Times:
” Ms Jowell is a Blairite to her boots and exudes that insubstantial new Labour quality that the public has learnt to associate with the Millennium Dome, spin and meaningless task forces — plus sleaze. She is credited with persuading Gordon Brown to approve a Games funding package that will cost billions in higher council tax bills and lottery money.”
Lucky, lucky New York