A spending watchdog has warned that more public money will have to be spent to keep Prestwick Airport in operation.
Audit Scotland last week claimed that Scottish Government loans to the airport had so far cost the taxpayer over £31m - and that ‘many millions more’ would be needed to support it- if it remains in public hands.
Prestwick Airport was taken into public ownership back in 2013, when the Scottish Government purchased the site for £1.
Since then they have tried to find a buyer, but so far, without success.
But questions have been raised over the 'colossal' sums of cash being pumped into Prestwick Airport while it remains in public hands.
Auditor General, Stephen Boyle, told a Public Audit Committee that “many millions of pounds” of public expenditure are being used to “support the airport”, to “sustain jobs and services within the airport.”
Now Scottish Conservative shadow transport minister, Graham Simpson, reckons the time has come to claw back the taxpayers’ cash that’s already been ploughed in.
He said: “Since Prestwick is now actually recording profits, the Scottish Government must get its act together and seek to recoup these colossal sums.”
And South Scotland Conservative List MSP, Sharon Dowey, wants a buyer found quickly and “more transparency” from Ministers over what the future holds for the airport.
She said: “Prestwick airport is, and will remain, a vital part of the South Ayrshire economy and a key local employer.
“The fact that the airport is now recording profits is proof of that.
“But the onus is on the SNP Government to find a private buyer to take Prestwick out of public ownership, both to allow the airport to thrive further and to prevent further loan and interest liabilities on the taxpayer.
“As with so many other issues, we require more transparency from ministers.”
Ayr MSP Siobhian Brown MSP defended the use of public cash to prop up Prestwick Airport.
She said: “Prestwick Airport is a strategic national asset with strong transport links by road, air and sea.
“Since the Scottish Government stepped in to save the Airport back in 2013, we have seen significant growth in the surrounding area which currently supports over 4000 jobs.
“Prestwick Airport also plays an integral part of the £80m Ayrshire Growth Deal investment making the area a global leader in the aerospace industry.
“The Scottish Government continue to support the area with the recent further investment of £60m for Mangata creating more jobs and opportunities for the people of Ayrshire. If it was up to the Conservatives, Prestwick Airport would have been closed a long time ago.”
She added: “The Scottish Government are acutely aware that any future owner of the Airport would need to support the ambitious long term economic vision for the area.”
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