Anas Sarwar has called on the Scottish Government to focus on creating jobs and not another independence referendum ahead of tomorrow's budget speech.
The Glasgow MSP said Holyrood must dedicate itself to economic recovery over the course of the next parliament, with official figures showing a 87 per cent increase in the number of Scots claiming out-of-work benefits last year.
Finance secretary Kate Forbes will on Thursday reveal the Scottish Government's draft spending plans for the next 12 months at a time of rising unemployment.
The SNP minister faces a tricky balancing act at a time when public sector finances are already massively strained by repeated lockdowns caused by coronavirus.
Sarwar - who is favourite to be named the next leader of Scottish Labour - called on the Nationalists to focus on the economy and to ditch plans for an IndyRef2.
Conservatives are meanwhile making the same call in a debate on priorities in the pandemic at Holyrood today.
Sarwar said: “We face a jobs emergency worse than the financial crisis a decade ago as we recover from the pandemic.
“With the number of people in Scotland claiming out-of-work benefits nearly doubling over the past year, it is clear there is no bigger issue than protecting people’s livelihoods and creating new jobs.
“There will be people sitting at home today terrified that they may not return to work from furlough, or the sector they have built a career in may not return. We need the Scottish and UK governments to put aside party politics and come together to protect jobs while working to create the jobs of the future.
“The budget must include a laser-like focus on jobs, supporting our dedicated key workers, reversing council cuts, and harnessing the talent in Scotland to bring the green jobs and tech jobs here that will be the backbone of our modern economy.”
Sarwar added: “In the election campaign ahead and for the next five years we must focus on a Covid recovery parliament that prioritises workers, not another divisive independence referendum.
“Under my leadership, Scottish Labour will put forward new ideas that reflect the priorities of the people of Scotland, including a National Recovery Training Fund and Business Restart Fund.
“I am determined to bring our movement together and rebuild our party so that we can work to rebuild Scotland.”
Sarwar faces a challenge for the Scottish Labour leadership from Monica Lennon, who has secured endorsements from two of Scotland's biggest trade unions.
