An Olympic war of words erupted last night between Holyrood and Westminster after it emerged that barely 1% of contracts awarded for the 2012 Games had gone to Scottish firms.
An Olympic war of words erupted last night between Holyrood and Westminster after it emerged that barely 1% of contracts awarded for the 2012 Games had gone to Scottish firms.
While Olympics Minister Tessa Jowell accused the Scottish Government Ministers of not doing enough to promote companies based north of the Border, there was a furious reaction to this claim from a spokesman for Alex Salmond who said the figures were proof that Scotland was an "afterthought" when it came to awarding contracts.
Liberal Democrat MP for East Dunbartonshire, Jo Swinson, said: "The benefit of the Olympics ought to be felt throughout the whole of the UK. That was the promise made at the time of the bid, but it is clearly not the case as far as Scottish business is concerned.
"For just 10 of 801 companies so far contracted by the Olympic Delivery Authority to be Scottish is unacceptable. Scotland is home to 7% of UK businesses, but is being sold short." She added: "The Olympics Minister indicated that the SNP are passing up opportunities to share experience and best practice in the run up to 2012.
"I sincerely hope party politics is not taking priority over supporting Scottish business."
Ms Jowell replied: "A real drive from the Scottish Executive to maximise the benefits to Scotland of the contracts, for instance, would be one way forward."
A spokesman for Mr Salmond said the situation was proof that Olympic cash is only benefiting London and the south of England. He said this added to the Scottish Government's concerns, coming days after the SNP demanded the return of £150m, which it claims has been redirected from good causes in Scotland to the London Olympics. He also insisted that while the Scottish Government has "engaged positively" in the process, the "primary responsibility" for ensuring contracts are handled fairly lies with Westminster.
Communities Minister Stewart Maxwell added: "It is absolutely not true to say that the Scottish Government has declined to work with Westminster to ensure the whole of the UK benefits.
"Tessa Jowell should remember that the Scottish Government is not responsible for the Olympics, and it's clear from these hugely disappointing statistics that Scottish companies are an afterthought when lucrative London 2012 contracts are being awarded.
"The ODA and the UK Government must ensure that contracts are marketed fairly across the UK."
