Labour have accused Treasury minister and Highland MP Danny Alexander of "protecting" his parliamentary backyard from the cuts his Government is imposing on the rest of the country.

Despite the Coalition's austerity drive, Labour says that a number of policies, including money for the overnight sleeper train from London to Scotland and a tax break for ski-lifts, just "happen" to benefit the Liberal Democrat politician's local area.

It is not the first time that Mr Alexander, the MP for Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch & Strathspey, has been accused of shielding his own part of the world.

Last year Former Lib Dem leader Sir Menzies Campbell questioned the decision to save RAF Lossiemouth, near Mr Alexander's constituency, while sacrificing other air bases.

On the latest allegations, Chris Leslie, Labour's shadow treasury minister, said: "This is very fishy indeed. It seems to be more than a coincidence that, at a time of austerity, funding has gone from the Treasury to so many specific projects that just happen to benefit Danny Alexander's constituency.

"The chief secretary seems to be happy pushing through tax rises and spending cuts across the rest of the country, so long as his backyard is protected,' he said.

Challenged over similar claims in an interview last month Mr Alexander told the House magazine: "I'm an MP from the Highlands, that's true.

"I'm the first Highlander to occupy Cabinet office for several generations.

"I think that the fact that for the first time in several generations someone at the top of Government has had an understanding of one of the most fragile areas of this country is a good thing."

A Treasury spokesman said that it was "right" that the government recognises the significant challenges faced by those in rural communities.