Zero unemployment in Govan is a real possibility if new jobs created in the city go to local people, according to Ian Davidson MP for Glasgow south west.

"Zero unemployment in Govan sounds like a fantasy but the number of jobs to be created in the next few years in our area is far greater than the number of registered unemployed - so why not?" he said.

Mr Davidson, who has long championed radical changes in the benefits system, recognised the difficulties but argued they could and should be overcome if the battle to get people out of poverty was to be won. He said: "Of course it will be difficult. Many registered unemployed are not, at the present time, particularly attractive to prospective employers because of various difficulties they may have: illness, addiction, disorganised lives, lack of education, training or skills, or attitude problems.

"But these are not reasons for abandoning people to permanent idleness, or families to permanent poverty. Work, and the income it brings, is the best and fastest route out of poverty and we need to ensure that every one of our local citizens is given a chance to better themselves."

Acknowledging that his remarks and aspirations would be controversial, he was nevertheless insistent there must be a crack down on any freeloading in the benefits system.