MP calls for early repayment of £425m borrowed to build Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park
Money was borrowed to help build Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park Picture: Ken Mears - Credit: Archant
Ministers should repay £425 million borrowed from lottery funds to develop Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park by 2022, the shadow culture minister has said.
Steve Reed warned charities need the money now, and added it will take 30 years for the government to return the cash at the current rate.
The previous Labour government diverted money from the Big Lottery Fund in 2007 to subsidise infrastructure for the 2012 Games, with a promise it would be returned.
The Government earlier this year said that repayments will not start until the “early 2020s”.
Mr Reed said: “Charities are struggling to house the homeless and feed the hungry this Christmas and they need that money now.
You may also want to watch:
“So will the minister spread a little more Christmas cheer, back the Big Lottery Refund campaign and commit to repay the money they owe during this Parliament?”
Sports minister Tracey Crouch replied: “We are committed to repaying the funds that you refer to.
Most Read
- 1 Letter: Targeted response in London to Indian Covid variant
- 2 Man tried to become comic book character by stabbing teen in park toilets
- 3 Leyton Orient confident next manager will take them to the next level
- 4 Indian variant of Covid-19 - what's the situation in London?
- 5 Ex-police officer among group jailed for £850k intercept from rival gangs
- 6 Commission set up to explore future of special needs provision in Newham
- 7 Family of man who died after attack in Canning Town pays tribute to a 'loving, generous' father
- 8 Teenagers killed in London in 2021 so far nears 2020 total
- 9 Newham to roll out greener fleet as part of £20m plans
- 10 West Ham Women bow out of FA Cup at Manchester City
“But I can say we’re working very hard to ensure that our charities across all sectors are well-funded.”
She added a civil society strategy will be launched in the new year.
