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Jowell to face Olympics grilling Jowell grilled on Olympics costs
(about 9 hours later)
Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell is to answer MPs' questions over the London Olympics, after organisers said the cost could rise £1.5bn to £5bn. Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell is being grilled by MPs about the London Olympics, after organisers said costs could rise £1.5bn to £5bn.
She is expected to be quizzed by the Commons culture, media and sport committee about an unexpected VAT bill for building costs. Ms Jowell is being questioned by the Commons culture, media and sport committee about an unexpected VAT bill for building costs.
The Tories said the budget had gone "disastrously wrong".The Tories said the budget had gone "disastrously wrong".
But Chancellor Gordon Brown has said the government is "committed to making the 2012 Olympics work". But Chancellor Gordon Brown said the government was "committed" to making the Games work.
'Construction plans''Construction plans'
Last week, London mayor Ken Livingstone estimated the total bill for the games - awarded to the city last year - could exceed £5bn.Last week, London mayor Ken Livingstone estimated the total bill for the games - awarded to the city last year - could exceed £5bn.
The rise is being blamed on extra security, the VAT bill and government demands for a contingency fund.The rise is being blamed on extra security, the VAT bill and government demands for a contingency fund.
Ms Jowell is also likely to face questions over former International Olympic Committee president Juan Antonio Samaranch's remark that the time needed to organise the games properly was "going very fast".Ms Jowell is also likely to face questions over former International Olympic Committee president Juan Antonio Samaranch's remark that the time needed to organise the games properly was "going very fast".
However, the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) says land is being prepared and buildings demolished, with construction work due to start in mid-2008. HAVE YOUR SAY You could have guaranteed that the costs would go massively over budget. Just look at Wembley John, UK href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?threadID=4776&edition=1&ttl=20061121110536" class="">Send us your comments However, the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) says land is being prepared and buildings demolished, with construction work due to start in mid-2008.
Shadow sport and Olympic minister Hugh Robertson said: "I do not want to hear any more spin from the government about the Olympics.Shadow sport and Olympic minister Hugh Robertson said: "I do not want to hear any more spin from the government about the Olympics.
"What I want now is transparency and accountability over the true cost and an explanation of why the original budget has gone so disastrously wrong."What I want now is transparency and accountability over the true cost and an explanation of why the original budget has gone so disastrously wrong.
"It looks like monumental government incompetence.""It looks like monumental government incompetence."
The Liberal Democrats say the government should pay for the extra cost.The Liberal Democrats say the government should pay for the extra cost.
The ODA and the government are reviewing the original 2004 budget for the games and are expected to announce a revised financial plan next February.The ODA and the government are reviewing the original 2004 budget for the games and are expected to announce a revised financial plan next February.