ED Balls has been accused of hypocrisy after campaigning at an event staffed by workers on zero hours contracts.

The shadow chancellor repeated Labour's pledge to end exploitative zero hours contracts when he addressed supporters at Glasgow's Royal Concert Hall.

Two technical staff, employed by Glasgow Life, the city council's arms-length culture and leisure body, on zero hours contracts, helped set up the event.

Mr Balls dismissed claims of hypocrisy when he was challenged about the workers during a press conference after his speech.

He said: "I've said they shouldn't have to settle for second best.

"We would ensure that after 12 weeks working regular hours, they get a proper contract."

Mr Balls appeared beside a banner highlighting Labour's election pledge to end exploitative contracts.

Writing in today's Herald, the shadow chancellor says a Labour government would "bring to an end those exploitative zero hours contracts that do so much damage to families trying to manage the household budget and pay the bills on time".

Jackson Carlaw, the Scots Tory deputy leader, said: "This comical hypocrisy on flexible working contracts has become a hallmark of Labour's campaign.

"If Ed Balls had actually spoken to the workers, he would have learned that many people actually appreciate this style of working arrangement.

"And with so many Labour MPs using staff on these deals, the whole policy is a complete sham."

A spokesman for Glasgow City Council said: "The council family does not use exploitative zero hours contracts and only uses staff bank staff where there is no other practical way to employ people."

"People who are employed in this way are never a replacement for staff on defined hours contracts.

"All staff bank staff receive a range of employment rights like sick pay, holiday pay and maternity pay, and they are not in any way obliged to take any work we offer them or to turn down work from other employers.

"Where staff bank staff wish to move to fixed hours, we will always work with them to try and achieve this."