UK must assist Scotland - Salmond

Critics have argued that Scotland gets more public funds than England

Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond is demanding a potential £1bn from the UK government to boost Scotland's economy.

As the financial crisis starts to bite in Scotland, the First Minister is pushing Westminster to release money he believes could be made available.

These include lifting spending restrictions on a £120m fossil fuel levy surplus, and a $42m Scottish government underspend.

Scotland's Labour party has dismissed the plea as "spin".

It makes every sense for the tight and unfair Westminster controls on Scotland's budget to be relaxed Spokesman for Alex Salmond

The proposals will be discussed at an emergency meeting of government ministers next Tuesday during the parliamentary recess, a spokesman for Mr Salmond said.

He pointed out that the UK government's own budget rules had been largely "set aside" to deal with the credit problems disabling the banking system and that Scotland should be allowed to do the same.

"It makes every sense for the tight and unfair Westminster controls on Scotland's budget to be relaxed - so that we can invest in a package to support the real economy, and stave off the real threat of recession," he added.

But Andy Kerr, shadow Labour finance minister, called the measures "another cynical attempt at spin", adding that it was "dishonest" to claim for funds that are not available.

He said: "All the SNP does is constantly refer to others when they want something done and that is usually the UK government."