Commenting on the economic figures released today, Liberal Democrat leader Tavish Scott said:

"Unemployment is at record levels thanks to Labour's financial mismanagement.

"And despite Alex Salmond's huffing and puffing, Scotland is still suffering from the recession.

"The construction industry is still in decline and only the Liberal Democrats have the plans to get it moving.

"Our green stimulus package, announced as part of our manifesto today will create new skills and opportunity in Scotland.

“We’d bring 25,000 empty homes back into use through grants and cheap loans.

“We’d have an eco-cash back scheme with £400 grants to buy double-glazing, replace an old boiler, or install micro-generation.

“And we would invest our share of £400 million building infrastructure to reinvigorate shipyards so that they can manufacture offshore wind turbines and other marine renewable technology."