SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford says a looming jobs “disaster” could be prevented if Scotland had more financial powers.

The UK Government will bring its furlough scheme to an end in October, raising fears of a surge in unemployment.

Blackford said if the Scottish Parliament had the “normal” borrowing powers of an independent country it would have extended the initiative, as has happened in other European countries.

New figures published by the Office for National statistics this week will give an update on how many jobs have been shed since the start of the Covid crisis – which had reached nearly three-quarters of a million by July.

Blackford said: “The UK faces a looming jobs disaster if the Tories cut the furlough scheme and withhold the crucial financial powers the Scottish Parliament needs to save jobs and protect our economy.

“But the hard reality is, without the normal powers of an independent country, Scotland is unable to extend the furlough scheme.”