UNITE general secretary Len McCluskey laid out bold plans yesterday to revive the Scottish economy and protect jobs in the wake of the Brexit vote.

Speaking at a meeting in Glasgow, Mr McCluskey said a public investment plan similar to the 2008 bank bailout is needed for Scotland’s ailing offshore oil industry.

Historical local authority debts also need to be scrapped because they were an “anchor” around the neck of struggling councils, he added.

Mr McCluskey, who is kicking off his campaign to be reelected as Unite’s general secretary against rival Gerard Coyne, is also calling for employment law to be devolved to the Scottish government, giving Holyrood the opportunity to protect human and employment rights.

Mr McCluskey said it has been “an honour” to work with Unite’s members across the country and that he supports a “co-ordinated shot in the arm for the workers of this country.”

He pledged that Unite would do everything in its power to fight against a Tory Brexit that would be in favour of the financial industry for one that mainly supports working people.

He argued that this must begin with “urgent investment in the vital offshore sector to protect the tremendous wealth of skills and unleash the potential.”

He called on Westminster to address the “ludicrous situation whereby Scottish local authorities are saddled with the debts of long gone days” which could be spent on schools and communities.

Mr McCluskey called on the Scottish government to “play its part and demand powers to defend the human and employment rights” of the people of Scotland.

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