The number of construction jobs in Aberdeen fell by nearly 2,000 over a four-year period, it emerged yesterday.
Official figures showed there were 7,400 people employed in the city in 2008 in comparison to 6,600 in 2011 and 5,600 in 2012.
North-east Labour MSP Richard Baker said: “These figures are hugely concerning and are a real worry for those who work in the construction sector and SNP ministers must explain why this has happened under their watch.
“Unfortunately employment in construction has fallen much more than in other parts of the UK for example in Wales where a different approach was taken to procurement.
“The SNP have been all too focussed on independence and using the north-east economy to foot the bill for their separation plans and we are now seeing the real effect this is having on our local construction industry.”
By contrast the figures released by Finance Secretary John Swinney showed the number of construction jobs in Aberdeenshire increased from 8,600 in 2011 to 8,800 in 2012.
