THE SNP’s new “unashamedly pro-business” Westminster leader has slammed the “anti-business” policies of the Labour government.

Days after taking on the role, Angus & Perthshire Glens MP Dave Dougan has called for increases to employers’ National Insurance contributions and the windfall tax on the multibillion profits being coined in in the North Sea to be scrapped as soon as possible.

Arguing Labour’s tax choices were “destroying jobs, squeezing wages, increasing prices and harming investment,” he said: “I will be an unashamedly pro-business voice in the UK Parliament, championing support for our business community to create good local jobs, boost people’s wages, deliver investment in our communities and bring wealth back into our economy.

“Family businesses, and key industries, are at the beating heart of our communities, from the corner shop and local pub to farming and fishing and Scotland’s crucial energy sector.”

Arguing that the “SNP have a real brass neck,” Scottish Labour finance spokesman Michael Marra hit back: “From the impact of their hike to business rates, botched policy like the deposit return scheme and their refusal to support Scotland’s hospitality industry, their decisions are taking a real toll on our economy.

“The SNP must explain what they will do to help businesses in Scotland with the powers they have in Edinburgh rather than trying to shift the blame elsewhere.”

The Westminster government’s Business Secretary Peter Kyle said: “The UK was the fastest-growing economy in the G7 in the first quarter of this year.

“We’re backing businesses with a £4.3 billion support package to cap business rates, a £4bn access to finance boost for SMEs [small and medium enterprises] as well as tough action on late payments and we’re backing millions of workers with a recent increase to the minimum wage.”