A SNP deputy leader Stewart Hosie has slammed the Tories for failing austerity measures.

The criticisms have been backed by Glasgow South West SNP candidate Chris Stephens, who said Glaswegians are "fed up" with Westminster's commitment to cut backs.

Speaking after Mr Hosie's visit to Kirkcaldy yesterday, Mr Stephens said: "People in Glasgow are completely fed up with the Westminster parties' commitment to continuing austerity - which is why more and more local people are putting their faith in the SNP as we approach the election."

Stewart Hosie, party deputy leader and Dundee MP emphasised the SNP's views that only a strong team of MPs in Westminster can bring an end to the cut backs.

It comes following Gordon Brown's announcement yesterday that Labour would spend £800million on the NHS, youth jobs and tackling poverty.

Mr Hosie said more than 100,000 Scottish children were being pushed into poverty due to the austerity measures and added: "Westminster's obsession with austerity is holding back Scotland's economy and damaging communities across the country - pushing 100,000 more children in Scotland into poverty and seeing a 400 per cent increase in people forced to rely on foodbanks.

"Austerity is failing on every level and people are crying out for a real alternative."

As reported in the Evening Times, Gordon Brown yesterday visited Glasgow's East End to argue Labour was the only alternative to the Tories' austerity.

Nicola Sturgeon was also in the area and said Labour backed Tory cuts and they would waste billions on nuclear weapons.

During today's campaign trail events, Mr Hosie added: "The Tories are determined to ignore the fact that their austerity policies have failed even by their own standards - and despite claims made in recent days Labour can't hide the fact that they have shamefully backed George Osborne's plans for a further £30bn of cuts.

"That both these parties are wedded to the same austerity agenda while supporting spending £100bn on a new generations of weapons of mass destruction isn't just economically illiterate - it is morally indefensible.

"Under the SNP plans set out by Nicola Sturgeon, we could see modest increase in public spending - allowing us to protect our NHS budget, invest in education and childcare and create more job opportunities for our young people.

"A strong team of SNP MPs working with progressive allies from across the UK will put an end to the ideological commitment to austerity of both the Tory and Labour leaderships - delivering real support for businesses, protecting our public services and creating more opportunities for our young people."

Meanwhile, Nicola sturgeon is due to speak at a demonstration in Glasgow on Saturday.

The Scrap Trident rally in George Square will see the first minister address the audience alongside Patrick Harvie, co-convener of the Scottish Greens.