Olympic bid 'could hurt Midlands'

The Olympic effect could hurt the Midlands - it is claimed

There has been a warning in the Commons that jobs could be lost in the Midlands if London secures the 2012 Olympics.

David Taylor, the MP for North West Leicestershire, said a successful bid would provide only "one sixteenth of 1%" of a boost to the national income.

He said that would be at the expense of diverting money from the regions, including the Midlands, to the capital.

Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell insisted the government wanted to see benefits from the Games to all parts of Britain.

It comes after Tony Blair said a successful 2012 Olympic Games bid would benefit the whole of the UK, not just London.

He told last Wednesday's Prime Minister's Questions that everything would be done for a successful outcome after a positive report on the bid from the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Regional development agencies around the country - including EMDA - are actively backing the bid.

The International Olympic Committee will make its final decision from a shortlist of five next month. London's rivals are favourites Paris, as well as Madrid, New York and Moscow.