The Scottish Government wants to use the UK’s underspent budget of £6.7 billion last year for its own energy projects and to help boost its economy.

The demand comes as Treasury figures revealed DECC failed to spend nearly 14% of its 2011/12 budget.

Alex Neil, Scotland’s Infrastructure Secretary called for some of the budget to be used in projects such as the National Renewable Infrastructure Plan and Fife Energy Park, which could support thousands of jobs across the Scottish economy.

He said the projects are ready for construction in Scotland but additional funding is needed.

Mr Neil said: “At the request of the Prime Minister we provided him with a list of 36 projects ready for construction in March. Despite repeated requests, we have yet to receive any funding.

“We have done what we can within our powers to fund shovel ready projects and indeed, we have funded some of the shovel ready project list provided from within our own resources, however there remains more we could do if additional funding is provided.”