LABOUR plan to create a £175million 'anti-poverty' fund to end the need for foodbanks and help those in need.

Scottish Labour Leader Jim Murphy announced the proposals to generate the cash from savings made by abolishing the bedroom tax during a visit to a foodbank.

Mr Murphy visited Glasgow's Destiny Foodbank last week where he spoke to staff and volunteers, along with Glasgow MP Anas Sarwar.

Yesterday he joined staff at an Edinburgh foodbank before meeting locals in a nearby cafe.

The venue gives those in need boxes of food which can be cooked using only a kettle, due to the number of people returning food they wer unable to cook on the stove.

The Scottish party leader said: "It is a scandal that thousands of Scots are forced to exist on food hand-outs, and worse that for too many the only hot meal they can afford is a Pot-Noodle or Cup-a-Soup.

"The number of Scottish families forced to depend on food hand-outs has rocketed in the last three years. It's a disgrace that in a country as rich as ours so many people have to rely on being fed by charity. It's time to call a halt to food poverty in Scotland.

"And for many other people, they are just a broken fridge or boiler away from being in serious financial trouble.

"After five years of the Tories, even having a job doesn't guarantee freedom from poverty.

"Labour will abolish the Tories' bedroom tax and we will use the savings to establish a £175 million Scottish Anti-Poverty Fund.

"We will drive up living standards by banning exploitative zero hours contracts, raise the minimum wage and extend the living wage.

"We have a vision for Scotland. A country where people in crisis are supported, not forced to queue for hand-outs. A country where young people, no matter their background, get every opportunity to succeed. A country where working families prosper.

"We will build the fairest nation on earth. That will start with a UK Labour Government in May.

"A UK Labour Government doesn't happen by proxy - you need to vote for it. A vote for any other party makes it easier for the Tories to hang on, and means five more years of austerity that would be a dreadful for Scotland."