Alex Salmond’s economic policy has ‘clearly failed’

She used First Minister’s Questions to highlight recent figures that show a further rise in unemployment.

Lamont accused SNP leader Alex Salmond of wasting time on the independence referendum and failing to address job losses.

She said: “The First Minister needs to realise that these are real people and real jobs.

“The First Minister’s Plan MacB, the one he boasted about to all who would listen, has clearly failed.

“So can he tell us today why one in three of all jobs lost in the United Kingdom in the last three months were Scottish jobs?”

Official figures published on February 15 show that unemployment in Scotland increased by 16,000 to 231,000 between October and December last year.

There were 102,000 people aged 16-24 out of work over the period.

Ms Lamont warned that about 400 women are losing their job every day.

However, she was criticised by the SNP leader for her party’s approach to economic problems.

Mr Salmond said four points of Labour’s five-point plan for the economy relies on action from the UK Government.

The First Minister said: “The unemployment problem in Scotland, indeed across these islands, is extremely serious. Of that there is no question whatsoever.

“I think Johann Lamont should remember that the employment rate - that’s the percentage of people employed in the economy - is significantly higher in Scotland than any other country in these islands.

“The inactivity rate - that’s the people who are not in the labour market - is much lower. These are good things about the job market.

“But the recession and the slow recovery is impacting the lives of families in Scotland and across these islands. Therefore, shouldn’t we turn our attention to what can be done about it in terms of the UK Budget which is coming up?”

He called for increased capital spending and more funds for small and medium-sized businesses.

Ms Lamont accused the First Minister of being distracted by “falling out” with US businessman Donald Trump over plans for a windfarm and “falling in” with media tycoon Rupert Murdoch.

“All the while, more and more young people are being shut out of the job market, with the long-term consequences we should all fear,” she said.

“From the very man who launched a consultation document in a castle, when is he going to put people before prestige?”

Mr Salmond said his administration is the first in the UK to appoint a minister, Angela Constance, to specifically address youth unemployment.

He highlighted the SNP’s record in pledging more apprenticeships and opportunities for young people.

“We had, just a couple of weeks ago, a forum for youth unemployment in Scotland,” he said.

“That united the unions, employers, a whole variety of people in the voluntary sector and indeed other political parties. People united to drive against the evil of youth unemployment and the prospect of seeing a lost generation, as was seen in the 1980s.

“That was the joint, signed-up effort of everybody at that substantial forum.

“All I would ask Johann Lamont to think about is whether she can take the good wishes and goodwill that was expressed in a cross-party basis at that forum into this chamber and demonstrate to Scotland that every party, every MSP, is committed to fight the evil of youth unemployment.”

He then clashed with Ms Lamont about her comment that the youth unemployment minister represents just “one job for one woman”.

Ms Lamont said public service cuts are hitting women at record levels.

Mr Salmond replied: “If I remember correctly, Labour demanded in this chamber the appointment of a minister for youth unemployment. What’s the point of demanding something in this chamber and then deriding it?”

He also criticised Labour for voting against budget measures containing increased apprenticeship and capital spending.

On Labour’s five-point plan for growth, he added: “How on earth can Johann Lamont say we shouldn’t be calling on the UK Government to do things when that is what Labour’s plan is?”

He said the proportion of women gaining apprenticeships increased between 2008 and 2010.

But Ms Lamont said unemployment on Mr Salmond’s watch is rising overall.

Referring to the First Minister’s speaking engagements in England where he will set out plans for independence, she added: “Instead of focussing all of his energies on running a referendum campaign, when will the First Minister get on with the job of running the country and addressing people’s real concerns?”

Alex Salmond’s economic policy has ‘clearly failed’ - Johann Lamont