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Olympics jobs 'will go to Londoners'
Jason Beattie, Chief Political Correspondent21 Feb 2008
Londoners will be first in line for the jobs created by the Olympics and Crossrail project, ministers pledged today.
In a key speech, Cabinet minister John Denham promised rules to ensure "London jobs went to London people".
The Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills said firms competing for contracts on major London construction projects would have to sign a pledge to train and employ local people. He said he wanted projects such as the Olympics and Thames Gateway to "boost job prospects for London's residents in a lasting way".
"Major investment is now under way to improve London's infrastructure. Billions in public money will be spent on Crossrail, on the Olympics and the development of the Thames Gateway.
"Thousands of jobs will be created as a result - each one a chance for Londoners to get ahead," Mr Denham told a conference on London's economy organised by the Mayor's office.
Mr Denham said the Government was looking to reform the procurement rules to ensure firms bidding for public money had to agree to provide apprenticeships or skills training to the longterm unemployed or Neets - those not in education, employment or training - as a condition of contracts.
The Olympics is set to create nearly 30,000 jobs, while Crossrail will create another 14,000.
Reader views (3)
I live in London and I would like to get a job at Olympic area as a Plumber.
- A Dafku, london, 22/02/2008 08:57
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Six thousand pounds for a toilet installation
One thousand pounds for a picture hook
Twenty thousand pounds for a non slip stair tread
Oh, and maybe five pounds and eighty five pence an hour for a London worker
Must be lots of legal workers wanting that one.
- Pd, uk, 22/02/2008 02:40
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Is that statement British born Londoners or anybody who lives in London during the Olympic period? Another platitude to drum up support for another white elephant. The Olympics has zero credibility as a sporting event and an institution.
Apart from anything else it is against the myriad of employment laws!
- Darren, London, 21/02/2008 14:15
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