Speaking at a debate on the devolution of Corporation Tax from Westminster to Holyrood, Glasgow SNP MSP Bob Doris today called on opposition parties to unite in the interests of Scottish jobs.

Mr Doris said: "Modelling work done by the Scottish Government shows that even a modest cut in corporation tax in Scotland of 3% could create 27,000 jobs, raise economic output by 1.4%, and over 20 years raise overall investment by almost 2%.

"Opposition parties are opposing these proposals with scant regard to the outlook for the Scottish economy and they don't have a consistent line of argument. The cross-party Scotland Bill Committee in the last parliament agreed that power over corporation tax should be available to the Scottish Government if it is granted to Northern Ireland.

"Lowering Corporation Tax in Scotland would aid our economic recovery by attracting business investment and creating jobs. The SNP's programme for Government has job creation at it's heart but we need the right economic levers to steer the economy back to prosperity and full employment.

"Business leaders have backed our calls and when it comes to creating jobs I respect their views. Scotland's most successful entrepreneurs, including Jim McColl and Sir Tom Hunter, are calling for corporation tax to be devolved. There are also voices from across the political party lines who agree in principle - including the Steel Commission and the Scotland Bill Committee in the last parliament. It's time for all the opposition parties in Scotland to re-focus their energies on delivering jobs for the Scottish economy instead of just attacking the SNP for the sake of it."