Olympic Cabinet Committee readout: Thursday 26 July

26 July 2012

The Cabinet Committee for the Olympics met this morning, chaired by Jeremy Hunt.

They were updated on the launch today of the Global Investment Conference. The Committee agreed that the Games were not just a fantastic festival of sport but also an opportunity to showcase the UK as a great place to do business. They were also updated on various aspects of the project including venue readiness, the preparations for Friday’s opening ceremony and transport.

They agreed that preparations continue to go well but there was no room for complacency.

The ORN (Olympic Route Network) is operating smoothly, Heathrow continues to operate well and more members of the Olympic family and the majority of visiting Heads of State are expected today.

Preparations for the arrival of the Olympic flame in Westminster were also discussed.

To date:

  • Approximately 13.3 million people have lined the streets to see the Olympic Flame. The flame today travels between Camden and Westminster.
  • Around 33,000 Games Family members have now arrived in the UK (including nearly 10,500 athletes from a total of 190 countries).
  • Almost 2,300 members of the Games Family are due to arrive in the UK today.
  • On day one of the Olympic Route Network yesterday, traffic levels in central London were 13 per cent lower than they would normally be at this time of year.

Today’s Ministerial activities include:

  • The Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister, Chancellor and Business Secretary are opening the Global Investment Conference, the first of a series of global business summits being held in London to showcase the UK during the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
  • The Prime Minister is visiting the Olympic Park and is hosting a press conference with Lord Coe.
  • Secretary of State for the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Caroline Spelman is holding a joint press briefing on sustainability at the Olympic site.
  • Department of Communities and Local Government Minister Bob Neill is attending the Team GB men’s football in Manchester.

Background information

Ministers and senior officials are meeting in the run up to and during the Olympic and Paralympic Games. The Committee has been established to ensure strategic coordination across the Olympic project.

Follow @2012govpress on Twitter for Government Olympic Communication updates.