'Pitifully' few Scots firms win 2012 contracts

NEW figures have revealed that just 110 Scottish companies have won 145 Olympics-related contracts - despite bidding for 2,806 tenders worth £5 billion.

Scottish Enterprise said there were still opportunities available to Scots companies - but admitted that firms based north of the Border had missed out on potential economic opportunities.

"Scotland is way, way down in terms of the numbers," said Pete Wishart MP, sports spokesman for the SNP.

"It is pitiful. It has been said that Scottish companies have not bid for enough of the contracts, but that is not true, they are just out of favour."

It is thought the majority of the contracts have been handed to companies based in the south-east of England.

"I would like to see more, obviously," said Gillian Moffat, head of the Olympic and Commonwealth Games legacy team at Scottish Enterprise.

"But I think we have done better than people were perhaps initially expecting."

About 18 months ago, figures showed that just 17 contracts had been won by firms in Scotland.

Among the winners are temporary power supplier Aggreko and transport firm Stagecoach.

"We want to see the Olympic Delivery Authority and the UK government do more to ensure that contracts are marketed fairly across the UK," said Holyrood sports minister Shona Robison.