Jim Murphy today attacked the Tory / Lib Dem government over its "policy immorality" as Scots Secretary Michael Moore refused to back a scheme to help unemployed youngsters.

Mr Murphy also challenged Michael Moore to publish evidence to back up an earlier claim that the Future Jobs Fund is "unsustainable".

The Future Jobs Fund has provided 11,000 jobs for Scots in the last two years, but was scrapped by the Tory and Lib Dem government. Last month, Mr Moore argued that the programme was "unsustainable" but since then has refused requests to publish the evidence to back up his claim.

Mr Murphy used Scottish Questions in the House of Commons for call for the scheme to be retained in Scotland because, whilst unemployment is falling in England, it continues to rise North of the border.

He asked Mr Moore whether he would meet the Chancellor to kep the scheme going in Scotland.

Speaking after exchanges in the House of Commons, Shadow Scottish Secretary Jim Murphy said:

"I was shocked that Michael Moore refused to even meet the Chancellor to try and keep the scheme in Scotland.

"He not Scotland's man in the Cabinet - he is rapidly becoming the Tories' salesman in Scotland.

"Because of the Salmond Slump, unemployment in Scotland continues to rise.

"The Future Jobs Fund has been an outstanding success, giving 11,000 unemployed youngsters the chance of a real job earning a real wage.

"Even the Lib Dem councillors in Mr Moore's own constituency back the scheme, saying it helps get people into permanent jobs.

"It is shameful to see a gang of Tory millionaires take away a scheme that help Scotland's unemployed youngsters.

"The immorality of doing nothing doesn't appear to move the Secretary of State to action."

21 July 2010