Balls and Clegg campaign in Scotland

Labour Treasury spokesman Ed Balls and Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg will be in Scotland today as the campaign for votes in the General Election ramps up.

Balls will visit Glasgow later and is expected to say Labour would put a stop to "Tory austerity", while Clegg will be highlighting the Liberal Democrat policy of extending paternity leave.

The SNP are expected to announce a cut for VAT on emergency services, Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson will speak at the Scottish Police Federation Conference on law and order, while the Scottish Greens will use the first day of new Scotrail operator Abellio to call for the nationalisation of Scotland's railways.

Balls is expected to say Labour would not increase borrowing but would introduce "fair tax changes" across the UK. SNP Finance spokesman John Swinney said it was a "smokescreen" to hide cuts.

Clegg meanwhile will be in Jo Swinson's constituency of East Dunbartonshire to highlight a new paternity leave policy. 

"For too long, mums have been told their place is at home with their child, while dads return to work. I want parents to choose for themselves how to balance work and family," he is expected to say.