Major construction contracts, related to projects for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, amounted to £669m, it has been reported.

According to officials at Glasgow City Council, more than £669m of Tier 1 Games-related contracts were awarded to companies. Of that amount, Scottish firms secured more than £510m of the total value, with organisations from Glasgow securing over £423m of the value.

In a statement, the local authority said the total value was based on 10 main projects designated as Games-related. They are the Emirates Arena and Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome; site remediation at the Athletes' Village; the Athletes' Village development; the Clyde Gateway; the SSE Hydro; Kelvingrove Lawn Bowls Centre; Tollcross International Swimming Centre; the Glasgow National Hockey Centre; SECC car park and Hampden Park and Ride.

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Glasgow City Council added that the community benefit clauses to contracts for regeneration initiatives had led to the long-term unemployed and school leavers securing places on construction projects throughout the city, while the Commonwealth Apprenticeship Initiative and its Commonwealth Graduate Fund had secured jobs for 784 graduates.

Councillor Gordon Matheson, Leader of Glasgow City Council, commented: "The world knows that Glasgow delivered the best Commonwealth Games there have ever been. But the Games were always about much more than 11 spectacular days of sport and cultural festival, however wonderful and memorable. What matters most are the lasting benefits for the people of Glasgow.

"It's enormously heartening to read these hugely impressive figures about the jobs, apprenticeships and contracts gained by Glasgow people and businesses as a result of our Games. We also retain the skills, facilities and enhanced international reputation that ensures we will continue to attract world-class events in the future."

(JP/IT)