Blair's plan for Olympic legacy

The package includes £35m to boost employment and skills, more affordable housing, at least 60 new city academies and more NHS walk-in centres.

Mr Blair said he wanted the Olympics to act as a catalyst to delivering long-lasting change to London.

"As of today, we are all competing for London and 2012," he said launching the blueprint for action in central London.

Countdown to 2012

He said preparing London to host the "greatest show on earth" would require the collective efforts of all Londoners.

"I do not have the slightest doubt in saying that for London the best is yet to come"
Mayor Ken Livingstone

He said government at every level, business, the voluntary sector and citizens must work together to rise to the challenge ahead.

"We have six years to regenerate east London," he said. "Six years to demonstrate to the world, as to ourselves, that we can host what will be, I am absolutely confident, the greatest show on earth."

He said the task was to harness the "optimism" of 6 July, the day London won the Games, with the "steadfast determination" of 7 July, when London came under attack, to create a lasting legacy.

The government's blueprint for action includes:

• Two new agencies to boost employment opportunities created by the Olympics

• £35m to raise the skill level of workers

• Action to address the shortage of affordable housing

• At least 60 new academies and at least 15 new sixth forms or sixth form centres

• More measures to tackle crime including extending the use of anti-social behaviour orders

• Building on events such as London Fashion Week, London Film Festival to create a single season showcasing the capital's cultural wealth

Mayor Ken Livingstone, who was at the launch at City Hall, said: "I do not have the slightest doubt in saying that for London the best is yet to come."

RELATED INTERNET LINKS:
London 2012
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites