London Olympic boost for business

The race is on for UK firms to win contracts around the 2012 Olympic games in London.
So far most of the publicity swirling around the 2012 Olympic Games has been of a stubbornly negative nature, with talk of budget "black holes", a logo which attracted a mixed response at best, and possible raids on National Lottery funds.

But amidst the accusations and criticisms, particularly relating to the way costs have soared since 2005, it is easy to overlook the positives surrounding the London event.
Business opportunities

The right to host the Games could make this a 'golden decade' for major events in the UK and, therefore, British business

Sebastian Coe, chairman, London Olympics Organising CommitteeThe biggest sporting event on earth offers a wealth of opportunities for UK businesses who want a slice of the many contracts and supply opportunities in the five-year run-up to the games.
And the starting gun on the race to win those contracts is being fired at an event at Manchester United's Old Trafford stadium, attended by hundreds of businesses from across the north of England.

This Article is signifigant because The London Olympics could be a defining part of the new century for the British. Also It could potentially bring lots of business to London and put the International spotlight back on the area
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Index of Economic Freedom in the U.K.

The economy of the United Kingdom (U.K.) is 79.5 percent free, according to our 2008 assessment, which makes it the world's 10th freest economy. Its overall score is 0.5 percentage point lower than last year, reflecting worsened scores in four of the 10 economic freedoms. The U.K. is ranked 3rd out of 41 countries in the European region, and its overall score is much higher than the regional average.

The U.K. scores extraordinarily well in investment freedom, trade freedom, financial freedom, property rights, business freedom, and freedom from corruption. The average tariff rate is low, despite distortionary EU agricultural tariffs, and business regulation is efficient. Almost all commercial operations are simple and transparent, and support for private enterprise is a world model. Inflation is fairly low, and the business climate attracts foreign investment. The financial sector is a world hub. The judiciary is independent and highly trained. Corruption is almost nonexistent, and the labor market is notably flexible.

The U.K. scores far below the world average in government size and fiscal freedom. Total government spending equals more than two-fifths of GDP, and tax revenue and rates are very high.

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This artcle shows the amount of freedom that the U.K.'s economy has in comparison to the rest of the world.