Labour has kept up its attack on the SNP with a warning that independence could put jobs at risk.

As the party wheeled out its big guns following claims of a lacklustre campaign, Gordon Brown said he was striving to create full employment north of the Border.

But Labour is also aware that the Scottish economy has lagged behind the rest of the UK since the creation of the Holyrood parliament four years ago.

Scotland has seen stagnant growth and watched as jobs in low-cost high tech industries have moved to Eastern Europe where labour is cheaper.

Despite the slowdown Brown warned that "divorce" from the UK could lead to instability and job losses.

"We are showing that the choice at this election is between Labour, the party which has built stability and created a record number of jobs and the SNP, the party which would put stability and jobs at risk by divorcing Scotland from the rest of the UK," he said.

Flanked by first minister Jack McConnell, Brown welcomed new data that revealed more people in work in Scotland than ever before.

"Even amidst a world downturn Scotland is closer to full employment than for decades and Scottish unemployment is now lower than that of London," the chancellor claimed.

"The challenge ahead, based on partnership between the UK government and the Scottish parliament, is to move Scotland forward to become a high employment, high skilled, high investment economy, equipped for the challenges of global competition.

"To do this we need the stability that Labour has sought to create with low inflation and low interest rates over the last six years."

The SNP dismissed the chancellor's attack, claiming the latest data revealed there to be 24,000 fewer full time jobs in Scotland.

"This is yet another example of the massive cost of handing control of the Scottish economy to London. We can't wait any longer for Labour," said party leader John Swinney.

"It is a huge embarrassment for Gordon Brown and Tony Blair in the week they decide to come up from London and lecture people in Scotland how well everything is going.

"Above all it's dreadful news for the thousands of Scots who are being denied the opportunity to work and provide for their families. That is a waste of potential that our country cannot afford."

As the election campaign enters its final fortnight the Scottish Conservatives urged Labour and the SNP to end the slanging matches which have characterised the first half of the campaign.

"We are now at the half-way point of the campaign, and even the briefest of looks at the manifestos of the four major parties shows that the Scottish Conservatives are the only party who advocate real reform of our public services," said party leader David McLetchie.

"All other parties are fully paid-up members of the left-of-centre political consensus which has failed Scotland for too long.

"We need a genuine debate and fresh ideas - not a phoney war. Only the Scottish Conservatives can do something about it."