Tavish Scott has made his first Scottish party conference speech as Liberal Democrat leader, calling for the Scottish Parliament to use its tax varying powers for the first time.

He called for tax cuts to help restart the economy, attacked the Scottish Government proposal of banning 18 to 21-year-olds from off-sales, and demanded a marine energy research unit for Scotland.

Mr Scott replaced Nicol Stephen earlier this year after the former leader resigned to focus more on family life.

He said: "People are tightening their belts, it's right that government does as well. Families are feeling the pinch, they are having to make sacrifices just to make ends meet.

"We Liberal Democrats will respond to that. Across Britain, Liberal Democrats will give tax cuts for people on low and middle incomes.

"But I know we can do more in Scotland. We should use the Scottish Parliament's power to cut income tax by two pence in the pound, saving the average Scot more than £300 a year; putting money back in the pockets of people who need it most."

Speaking in Edinburgh, on Saturday he warned the Scottish Government over plans to scrap the council tax.

He said: "We will help those on low and fixed incomes even more when we scrap the unfair council tax that they hate so much.

"And when I meet our council group leaders, when I speak to them every week on our conference call, they have made it plain to me.

"This party knows that if it's not local, then it's not a local income tax, and we will have nothing to do with reform that isn't local."

He also called for a marine energy research unit to ensure Scotland is at the forefront of developing new technology to create renewable energy sources.

He said: "Scottish marine energy companies can't wait much longer. They need support to create world-beating energy ideas in Scotland.

"Even the Republican petrol- heads in the US have set up a marine energy research scheme. Scotland used to have one - until the SNP killed it off, and that is a demand I now make for the Scottish Budget. Bring back research support for marine energy in Scotland.

"Do it now, before Scottish companies have to pack up and someone else wins the technology for the 21st century."