JOBS MUST BE TOP PRIORITY

Speaking after meeting the Prime Minister in Edinburgh, Scottish Labour Leader Johann Lamont said:

"My discussion with David Cameron focused on the two issues Scottish families care most about - the economy and jobs. I told the Prime Minister the same thing I tell Alex Salmond every week - that both men are making major mistakes on the economy and jobs which cost families dear.

"Scotland is in the grip of an unemployment crisis. Almost 400 women a day are losing their jobs, youth unemployment is over 100,000 and a third of all jobs being lost in the UK are in Scotland. Alex Salmond’s eye is off the ball. While Alex Salmond is running the referendum, who is running the country?”

Speaking about the constitution, Ms Lamont said:

"The discussion about Scotland's future cannot be a fight between two things Scotland rejects - separation and the Tories.

"Alex Salmond alone does not speak for all of Scotland on our nation's future. Most Scots want our country to walk tall and be a proud part of the United Kingdom.

"All parties in Scotland need to agree on the process of a referendum quickly, so we can move on to the debate that really matters: what is in the best interests of the people of Scotland and how do we solve the great challenges facing families every day?"

16 February 2012