Smaller London firms could miss Olympic benefits

3.51.53pm GMT Wed 30th Nov 2005

The London Assembly today urged firm targets be set to ensure London's diverse businesses have a fair chance to compete for 2012 Olympics contracts.

The Interim Olympic Development Authority (IODA) was unable to give any commitment today to the Assembly's Economic Development Committee on targets to monitor involvement in the Games of local firms, black and minority ethnic-owned businesses, and organisations run by women and disabled people.

Dee Doocey, Chair of the Committee said: "How can smaller businesses in London have a hope of competing against multinational corporations if targets and monitoring are not in place to ensure they get a piece of the action in 2012? Proactive work is needed to bring traditionally unrepresented businesses into the supply chain. These businesses could miss out if such targets are not set early on and built into all Olympics contacts."

Assembly Members pressed for a one-stop-shop website with information about Olympic business opportunities and ways to deal with the bureaucracy that often surrounds major projects. The London Development Agency should work with existing business organisations to set up a site as soon as possible.

London's small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) are keen to receive information about the 2012 Olympics businesses opportunities. Organisations need as much help as possible to enable them to use their own business skills to exploit the benefits arising from the Games.

The Committee was also shocked to learn that the Olympics draft procurement principles did not include references to health and safety requirements. In response to questioning from the Committee, the IODA agreed that it would now address this shortcoming.