Questioned by London Assembly Members David Higgins, Chief Executive of the Olympic Delivery Authority, has admitted that London’s many small businesses wanting to tender for Olympic contracts are being hampered by complex European Union procurement rules.
Damian Hockney, leader of the One London Party said: “We have been calling for confirmation of this for two years, but politicians have tried to conceal EU involvement in the tendering process. We are grateful that Mr Higgins has now blown the gaffe on this situation.”
Mr Hockney compared the difficulties faced by the capital’s SME’s with the experiences abroad “One of the lasting benefits of the Atlanta games was the boost that it gave to small business, particularly ethnic minority businesses. London cannot benefit in the same way.”
The One London leader called the situation “a tragic lost opportunity which cannot be tackled by London or national politicians because they have abdicated authority for public sector procurement to the European Union.”
According to official statistics the majority of London firms have fewer than 50 employees but have a combined estimated turnover of almost £200 billion.
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