SNP MSP Alex Neil has called on the leader of Scottish Labour to get behind the Scottish Government in calling for Westminster to make available almost £1bn of funding to help the Scottish economy.

Neil said that Iain Gray had already suggested that Scotland should get its share of funding through the Barnett Formula as a result of spending on the 2012 London Olympics.

Furthermore, he claimed the new Scottish Secretary, Jim Murphy, has supported calls for £150m of Lottery money to be invested in Scotland, while former UK energy minister Brian Wilson has backed calls for Ofgem to release £120m from the Fossil Fuel Levy.

Neil argued: "The SNP Government has clearly said that a main priority is protecting Scotland's economy. That's why they have already announced measures to speed up investment, and are seeking to identify further options to bring forward other spending programmes.

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"However, we are constrained by the fact that we must work within a fixed budget set by Westminster.

"That is why it is vitally important that we identify and seek funds currently held at Westminster to help keep the economy moving. Already nearly £1bn has been identified and this money could and can be used to stave off recession in Scotland."

Describing the financial situation as "exceptional times", he urged all political leaders in Scotland to ensure Scotland "is not being left behind".

Neil further suggested Labour's economy and skills spokesperson John Park had said SNP calls for a £1bn funding package to prevent a recession happening in Scotland were 'legitimate'.

"I am therefore calling on the leader of the main opposition party to not only back his economy and skills spokesperson and support this legitimate call, but to meet his own call for Scotland's share of London Olympic regeneration cash to be released.

"When UK government financial rules have been abandoned in an attempt to stabilise the financial sector it is only right that all parties in Scotland unite to call for Treasury controls of Scotland's budget to be relaxed."

The SNP has suggested that regeneration spending on the London Olympics would amount to £33m of spending per annum over the next five years under the Barnett Formula.

(GK/JM)