The statement on ‘where we are now’ with security preparedness for the 2012 Olympic Games follows on from G4S CEO Nick Buckles giving evidence before the Home Affairs Committee last Tuesday. It reads as follows:
“G4S continues to focus huge resource and effort on increasing the number of G4S personnel engaged in the Olympic security programme.
“We are making good progress, with daily increases in the number of people working at Olympic venues as well as in the number of people who have completed the necessary training and related accreditation processes.
“G4S notes the announcement that ministers have agreed that there is no current need to deploy any additional troops but, recognising that safety and security are always the highest priority, a further 1,200 troops have been put on standby.
“We recognise that this is a sensible precaution. We are working very closely with LOCOG, the military, the police and Government and we expect to continue to build on the progress we have made in the past few days.”
Additional costs relating to police and military support
“G4S has undertaken to cover the additional costs relating to the military and police who make good any shortfall in G4S personnel.
“The company has reviewed the latest position and believes that, even if some or all of the additional troops now on standby were to be deployed, the overall losses to be incurred on this contract would remain within the previously stated estimate of GB pound 35 million- GB pound 50 million.
“The company also wishes to clarify the nature of the GB pound 57 million ‘management fee’ referred to at the Home Affairs Select Committee meeting on Tuesday 17 July. This constitutes payments in respect of the operating cost elements of the contract relating to the infrastructure needed to support the contract over the last two years.
“During that time, G4S has incurred significant costs on behalf of its customer, LOCOG, to provide it with a range of staff, facilities and services including premises, IT and payroll systems.”