Robert Brown demands answers from Gordon Brown on Olympic Contracts

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 3rd Jul 2008

Glasgow Liberal Democrat MSP Robert Brown has written to the Prime Minister Gordon Brown demanding an explanation of why Scotland is missing out on contracts from the 2012 Olympic Games.

Research by the Liberal Democrats has revealed that despite having over 7 per cent of the UK's businesses, Scotland has won just 2 per cent of the contracts awarded so far.

Commenting, Mr Brown said:

"London's Olympic bid was sold on the promise that the Games would benefit the whole of the UK. So far, this is clearly not the case.

"Scotland represents over 7 per cent of all UK business and has so far received only 2 per cent of Olympic contracts, with London and the South East receiving 70 per cent.

"This is simply unacceptable and I am writing to the Prime Minister seeking an explanation and demanding immediate action to resolve this disproportionate distribution of Olympic contracts. The Prime Minister must take a personal interest in this matter and ensure that the original goal of UK-wide benefit from the Games is realised.

"The £6bn-worth of contracts should be an opportunity for all parts of the UK.

"In the run-up to the 2014 Commonwealth Games, it makes sense for Scottish firms to build experience on Olympic contracts.

"Scotland's, and in particular Glasgow's, success in securing the 2014 Commonwealth Games shows that we have a great deal to offer. The Olympics should not be just for London."

Ends

Notes to Editors:

• The full text of Mr Brown's letter to the Prime Minister is as follows:

Rt Hon Gordon Brown MP,

10 Downing Street,

London

Dear Prime Minister,

Benefits of the London Olympics

I am writing to you following the publication of information that shows the unsatisfactory distribution of contacts across the United Kingdom connected with the 2012 Olympic Games. As you will be aware, although Scotland has over 7 per cent of the UK's businesses, it has won only 2 per cent of the contracts awarded so far. The London Olympics was of course sold as being of benefit to the whole United Kingdom.

I understand there are complex reasons for this but the general picture is clear, and indeed I understand that similar figures could be provided for Wales and the English regions. The bulk of the contracts - no less than 70 per cent - are going to London and the South East.

As you are aware, the Government has already found it necessary to raid the Lottery funds to pay for the overrun on the Olympics budget, and this makes it desperately difficult for Scotland to target support on building sports clubs and sports opportunities in the run up to the Olympics in 2012 and the Commonwealth Games in 2014. The conjunction of the two events should provide an unprecedented opportunity to inspire young people with the potential of sport and athletics, to build capacity for more people to enjoy it, and to make a step change in health and exercise too. To find that we are also losing out on the business opportunities of the Olympics is really too much.

It is imperative that a more proportionate distribution of Olympics contracts is achieved, and I write to urge you to take a personal interest in the matter and to ensure that the original objective of UK-wide benefit is achieved. It is really important that the whole country is able to feel committed to the Olympics. We have seen this in a different context in recent days as people from across the UK have watched and supported the progress of Andy Murray at Wimbledon.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Best wishes,

Robert Brown MSP