Ministers accused over games legacy

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

The centrepiece of ministers' long-awaited Legacy Action Plan was a £140 million commitment to provide free swimming for the over-60s in England.

The move - described as a "first step" towards universal free swimming by 2012 - was warmly welcomed by campaigners for the elderly.

However, opposition parties said there was little else in the document to justify the £9 billion being spent on the Games.

Shadow Olympics minister Hugh Robertson said the plan would come as a "huge disappointment" to sport.

"Free swimming for pensioners, although worthy, hardly meets the promise to 'enable young people through sport' that was such a key part of our bid," he said.

Liberal Democrat Olympics spokesman Tom Brake said there was a "surprising lack of detail" on everything else other than the swimming.

"The biggest financial gains from the Olympics are meant to be from tourism, but there's nothing at all in this document about how British businesses can actually expect to benefit," he said. "Significant progress has been made but with £9 billion being spent, people are entitled to expect a decent legacy."

Other measures in the plan included a £1 million pilot scheme for subsidised gym membership for 16 to 22-year-olds to try to halt the drop off in sport among school leavers and a £7 million campaign to encourage people to walk more.

The Government said the legacy plan would be a "living document" which would be updated as new programmes are introduced over the coming four years.