Alex Salmond has mounted one of his strongest attacks yet on his nation's union with England, warning that "Britain is bad for Scotland".

Stepping up the SNP's campaign for independence, the party leader called for a Scottish parliament with full economic powers.

His comments came ahead of a visit to the STUC conference in Dundee.

Salmond also announced that Jimmy Reid, leader of the Upper Clyde Shipbuilders work-in in 1971, was joining the SNP.

"To me, New Labour has abandoned and betrayed all the principles that were
fundamental to the Labour movement in Scotland," Reid said.

Meanwhile, Salmond argued that only independence would make Scotland better off.

"Independence is the right future for our country," he said.

"It is the best option for a wealthier, more successful Scotland.

"We need to take full control of our economy so that Scotland can make decisions that are good for Scots instead of Britain making decision that mainly favour London and the South East.

"The price of the Union is a high one.

"Years of Labour and Tory economic mismanagement have left Scotland with the lowest long–term growth in the European Union and the highest unemployment in the UK.

"Britain is bad for Scotland. It has held us back and is a threat to our future success."

Salmond highlighted SNP plans to increase economic growth by an average of four per cent every year for the next 10 years.

"That would give a £4,000 a head boost to our national wealth and increase average wages by £2,000," he added.

"There would be an additional £19 billion in the Scottish economy and £8 billion more to invest in public services.

"The majority of people in Scotland now back independence. 

"More and more people are feeling let down by Labour and choosing the SNP because they know the SNP will make Scotland matter and get our economy back on track."