What a pity it is, when London very much against the odds, secured the 2012 Olympic Games, that Peter Perryman (Letters, July 13) should not only complain about the cost of staging such an event, but compare British workers in a negative light against American workers.

Yes, the games will cost money, nothing is for nothing.

But look at the enourmous benefits. Apart from the obvious prestige value the Games will bring, a huge part of east London, which is currently derelict, will be regenerated, including additional rail links, roads, a new Thames crossing plus the provision of much-needed housing, new parks.

One fact which Peter failed to mention, is that cities which host the Olympic Games, benefit from a large increase in tourism, not only during the games, but in subsequent years.

I thought the jibe at British workers was particularly regretable. Our economy is doing rather better than the USA, where workers, often poorly paid, have very little protection from employers who can be prone to fire staff on a whim.

Tony Kinsler
Old Park Ridings
Winchmore Hill