LABOUR has claimed the eurozone crisis emphasises why Scotland should remain part of the UK

Leader Johann Lamont said the country was currently part of a successful economic and political union and as such shared the risks and rewards of the Union.

She told MSPs: "It has been suggested that the First Minister does not wish to comment on the eurozone crisis because of its implications for the SNP's monetary policies.

"But in a world experiencing the greatest economic uncertainty of my lifetime, what we do not need is more uncertainty.

"We do not need any more fudges, or maybes or ifs and buts. We need as much clarity as possible."

During a Holyrood debate on how the implications of the crisis would impact on the Scottish economy, Finance Secretary John Swinney said Scotland could weather the storm if Greece withdrew from the euro, but a full collapse of the eurozone would have a wider impact.

Ms Lamont attacked the SNP's plan to continue with sterling until the economic conditions were right to hold a referendum on joining the euro.

Critics say retaining sterling would leave Scotland tied to the economic policy of the Bank of England and could be a barrier to EU membership.

Ms Lamont said: "I do not want to spend time debating with the Cabinet Secretary whether any new admissions to the EU would have to adopt the euro.

"But what is clear to everyone is that once the euro crisis is over it is almost certain that a new regime will be introduced which will see much tighter fiscal co-ordination amongst all the eurozone countries."

Meanwhile, the European Commission yesterday warned high house prices, mortgage debt and a lack of affordable childcare in the UK were de-stabilising growth.