Bob Doris, MSP for Glasgow, has today welcomed assurances from Finance Secretary John Swinney about the selection criteria for proposed Scottish Government Enterprise Zones. The Government is currently planning to create four Enterprise Zones in Scotland which will attract businesses to key areas and will create much needed jobs. Incentives for businesses will include rates relief and easier planning regulations.

Mr Doris is calling on the Finance Secretary to prioritise areas of high deprivation and unemployment.

Commenting in Edinburgh today, Bob Doris said: "We all welcomed the news yesterday that unemployment in Scotland fell in the last quarter in stark contrast to the UK as a whole, a trend which underpins the need for the Chancellor of the Exchequer to follow the Scottish Government's lead and come up with a Plan B for economic recovery. I made clear to the Parliament today that despite this progress, Glasgow still has some of the worst unemployment statistics in Scotland.

"In Maryhill & Springburn, the constituency where I live, we have the highest unemployment in Scotland. The neighbouring Provan constituency in the north of Glasgow has the third highest unemployment in Scotland.

"I am delighted that Mr Swinney shares my view that we have a moral duty to boost economic activity in the worst unemployment blackspots, as well as a duty to stimulate growth sectors for the overall benefit of the nation.

"Recent investment in the green and renewables technology sector in Glasgow demonstrates the potential for growth of this emerging sector in the area. We have a highly skilled workforce and a great location. We need to bring this good news to many more potential investors from a range of growth industries.

"The Cabinet Secretary will be seriously considering the merits of awarding Enterprise Zone status on that basis. Whilst I know there are many other parts of Scotland in need of a local economic boost, I will be pressing what I believe to be a compelling case for Glasgow."