Taxpayers foot £400,000 bill for unclaimed marine technology prize
The Scottish Government has spent almost £400,000 of taxpayers’ money on a prize for marine energy which has still not been awarded more than a decadeafteritwasannounced.
The true cost to the public of the Saltire Prize, which was announced by former first minister Alex Salmond in 2008, is likely to be significantly higher as four years are unaccounted for. Ministers have spent a total of £393,546 running the award since 2012, according to documents published following a Freedom of Information request.
When it was launched, the £10 million Saltire Prize for innovation in marine energy technology was trumpeted as the largest of its kind. Its aim was to help the commercial development of wave and tidal energy technology, but the deadline for the award passed last year with no firm named winner. While a handful of companies have been in the running for the prize, none was able to meet the criteria and several have even gone into administration. Despite the problems, the Scottish Government has pressed on with the Saltire Prize and now says it is “considering options” for “reshaping the award”.
The documents show more than £68,000 was spent on rebranding and secondment work in 2012-13, while a further £3,760 went on a “redesign study” in April 2014.
Donald Cameron, environment spokesman for the Scottish Conservatives, said: “It’s critical we encourage innovative ideas in all sectors of government, and the environment is of particular importance. Therefore, not only is this a massive waste of money, but it represents a serious missed opportunity.”
A Scottish Government spokesman said: “We are determined to provide a supportive environment for the successful development of marine energy and the industry has taken important steps forward since the Saltire Prize was established. The prize has helped draw international attention to the potential of marine energy, sparked the interest of technology developers around the globe, and put Scotland’s world leading marine expertise on the map.”