Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said Ms Lamont was "imprisoned in a Tory straight jacket" as the two Glasgow MSPs clashed yet again on the issue of universal benefits, such as pensioners' bus passes, free university tuition and free prescriptions.

The Scottish Parliament was discussing public services and a heated debate focused on the issues raised by Ms Lamont last week in speech about the affordability of free services with an ageing population and reducing budgets.

Ms Sturgeon said: "It beggars belief that the Labour leader reached the conclusion that the best way to deal with Tory cuts is to take away benefits for pensioners.

"Saying they get something for nothing is an insult to those who work hard and pay their taxes an who expect their Government gives them something in return."

Ms Lamont defended her call for a review of the policies asking if they were affordable in economically tough times and said: "The SNP are treating the people of Scotland like fools.

"Charges for some of the most vulnerable people in Scotland are going up while their services are being cut and Nicola Sturgeon doesn't want to talk about it.

"The costs have to be addressed. There are people out there facing the consequences of SNP cuts every day.

"The debate I called for is not about universality versus means testing but about whether we can afford it.

"Nicola Sturgeon is either in dangerous denial or she is being downright dishonest.

"The SNP has cut £2.1 billion out of local government budgets, but she refuses to acknowledge the pain that has caused for some of the most vulnerable."

stewart.paterson@eveningtimes.co.uk