But Scottish Government hit out at Westminster claims it is not doing enough to help Scottish firms win contracts for the London Olympics in 2012.

 

Sports Minister Stewart Maxwell claimed that Scottish companies were being treated as an "afterthought" as it emerged that just 10 have so far won contracts from the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) - from a total of 801 firms.

 

In all 1.2 per cent of successful companies are based in Scotland - home to seven per cent of UK firms.

 

More than 68 per cent of the work awarded so far has gone to small and medium-sized businesses, of which 98 per cent are UK-based and 46 per cent are based outside London, according to the ODA.

 

 

 

ODA chairman John Armitt said: "London 2012 offers businesses of all sizes major opportunities in the current economic climate.

 

 

 

"These figures show that businesses from all over the UK are already winning 'economic gold', with millions of pounds-worth of London 2012 work.

 

"These benefits are directly a result of hosting the Games."

 

 

 

Sebastian Coe, the chairman of London 2012, said: "As of next year, LOCOG is poised to release hundreds of opportunities for the best UK companies of all sizes to compete for work to supply our Games-time goods and services, so there is all to play for.

 

 

 

"The 2012 Games is already proving a golden opportunity to ensure growth in the UK economy and leave a legacy of fitter British businesses with the expertise of supplying the largest sporting event on earth."

 

 

 

Of the work awarded so far, 12 per cent has gone to companies in the East London Olympic Park Host Boroughs.

 

 

 

The ODA figures show that 42,671 companies have registered an interest in a contract that is part of the Olympic supply chain, including 29,517 small companies with fewer than 50 employees.

 

 

 

Olympics Minister Tessa Jowell said: "These figures are yet more proof that London 2012 is a golden opportunity at a time of economic need.

 

 

 

"The Games will generate some £6 billion-worth of contracts open to UK business large and small, not to mention an estimated £2 billion dividend to the tourist industry.

 

 

 

"But this is not all - constructing and hosting the world's biggest sporting event will inevitably increase the expertise, efficiency and competitiveness of British business, leaving a legacy which will benefit the UK economy for decades to come."

 

On the subject of the lack of contracts awarded to Scottish firms, Jowell said Tessa Jowell suggested that a "real drive from the Scottish Executive to maximise the benefits to Scotland of the contracts would be one way forward".

But Maxwell said: "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 UK government is failing to honour its commitments, and in the process, failing Scottish businesses."