This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/scotland/6578225.stm

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Election push into last fortnight Brown says SNP 'losing appeal'
(about 2 hours later)
The race for votes is continuing this weekend with less than two weeks before the country decides the make-up of the next Scottish Parliament. Gordon Brown has claimed voters asking tough questions about Scottish National Party policies are now finding the Nationalists wanting.
Chancellor Gordon Brown joined Jack McConnell in Edinburgh to highlight Labour's policies for families. The Chancellor said the Holyrood election campaign had reached a moment of truth over the cost of independence.
The SNP unveiled a poster campaign backing Alex Salmond as first minister. The SNP hit back, insisting it could cost its plans for government.
The Lib Dems launched plans to breathe new life into small towns while the Tories pushed for greater powers for local communities.The Lib Dems launched plans to breathe new life into small towns while the Tories pushed for greater powers for local communities.
Mr Brown and Mr McConnell were highlighting the party's pledges postcard at a play park in Edinburgh's Meadows. Mr Brown and Jack McConnell were highlighting the party's pledges postcard at a play park in Edinburgh's Meadows.
The Chancellor said the election campaign had reached a moment of truth.
If they claim that they've got plans for an independent Scotland, why don't they give us the figures - give us the facts and tell the truth Chancellor Gordon BrownIf they claim that they've got plans for an independent Scotland, why don't they give us the figures - give us the facts and tell the truth Chancellor Gordon Brown
He claimed that voters asking tough questions about SNP policies were now finding the Nationalists wanting. The Chancellor said: "People are asking how do the SNP fund their programme - they're asking how can they be so wrong about their calculations on oil revenues.
"People are asking how do the SNP fund their programme - they're asking how can they be so wrong about their calculations on oil revenues," he said.
"If they claim that they've got plans for an independent Scotland, why don't they give us the figures - give us the facts and tell the truth.""If they claim that they've got plans for an independent Scotland, why don't they give us the figures - give us the facts and tell the truth."
An SNP spokesman hit back at Mr Brown's comments saying his claims about oil revenues were false. An SNP spokesman said Mr Brown's claims about oil revenues were false.
Earlier, Mr McConnell urged voters not to use the elections to give "a kicking" to outgoing Prime Minister Tony Blair.Earlier, Mr McConnell urged voters not to use the elections to give "a kicking" to outgoing Prime Minister Tony Blair.
The Labour pledges card will be distributed throughout the country in the coming week.The Labour pledges card will be distributed throughout the country in the coming week.
It includes plans for increasing modern apprenticeships to 50,000 a year, expanding free school meals to 100,000 extra children and 250 new and rebuilt schools.It includes plans for increasing modern apprenticeships to 50,000 a year, expanding free school meals to 100,000 extra children and 250 new and rebuilt schools.
'Better future''Better future'
SNP deputy leader Nicola Sturgeon also highlighted the party's policies for young people at a campaign event in Glasgow.SNP deputy leader Nicola Sturgeon also highlighted the party's policies for young people at a campaign event in Glasgow.
She said her party in government would replace student loans with grants and bring an end to the back-end tuition fees by scrapping the graduate endowment fee.She said her party in government would replace student loans with grants and bring an end to the back-end tuition fees by scrapping the graduate endowment fee.
The SNP also claims it would introduce first time buyers' grants of £2,000 to help those wanting to buy a home.The SNP also claims it would introduce first time buyers' grants of £2,000 to help those wanting to buy a home.
The parties are pushing for support across the country
Ms Sturgeon said: "Each year 25,000 of our most talented young people leave Scotland to seek a better future elsewhere.Ms Sturgeon said: "Each year 25,000 of our most talented young people leave Scotland to seek a better future elsewhere.
"I want to implement a range of policies which will allow more of them to feel they can stay and be successful here in Scotland.""I want to implement a range of policies which will allow more of them to feel they can stay and be successful here in Scotland."
During a visit to Inverurie, Aberdeenshire, with his Westminster counterpart, Sir Menzies Campbell, the Scottish Lib Dem leader Nicol Stephen pledged to regenerate communities.
Mr Stephen said: "By regenerating our small towns we can kickstart local economies, bring new jobs and prosperity, boost tourism and give young people and families a bright future."
Scottish Conservative leader Annabel Goldie outlined her party's proposals for returning power to local communities.
"In addition to our proposals to abolish business rates for most small businesses in Scotland, we will establish a Town Centre Regeneration Fund, worth £20m every year," she said.
Meanwhile, it emerged a Muslim candidate is to stand for the Christian Peoples Alliance Party.
Abdul Dean said he made his decision because the party was based on values, rather than ideology.