SNP Treasury Spokesman, Stewart Hosie MP, has branded the contributions of the London parties appearing on Channel Four's Ask The Chancellors Debate as "a tedious race to the bottom".

Commenting, Mr Hosie said:

"Tonight was a tedious repetition of what we've already heard from the London parties who are in a race to the bottom with their cuts agenda.

"There was little from any of the three participants which would inspire confidence that they are committed to growth, protecting recovery and securing a sustainable economic future for Scotland.

"Alistair Darling, in particular, has a brass neck to claim premature cuts could tip us back into recession. The UK Labour Government have inflicted the first real term cut on the Scottish budget since devolution - risking the Scottish recovery.

"The Chancellor himself has already acknowledged Labour's cuts will be 'tougher and deeper' than those implemented by Margaret Thatcher."