Ambulance response times are increasing "all the time", Alex Salmond has claimed.

The First Minister also backed the use of volunteer "first responders" in official figures, despite recent concerns.

A target of reaching 75 per cent of life-threatening incidents within eight minutes was met for the first time by the ambulance service in March 2009.

Mr Salmond told MSPs: "The figures for the Scottish Ambulance Service are increasing all the time."

He said that first responders have always been part of the official statistics.

He added: "I do think that the contribution of first responders should be included in the statistics as they form part of the overall resource managed and monitored by the Scottish Ambulance Service."

Mr Salmond insisted the target would have been met whether or not volunteer responders were included.

However, Labour's health spokesperson Cathy Jamieson said that first responders have been used at incidents they have not been properly trained for, prompting union concerns.

She also voiced concerns over the existing "time only" target. She explained: "For example, arrival, say two minutes after the target response time, where there is not a good outcome for the patient, is not deemed to be a success."

Mrs Jamieson called on the First Minister to ask Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon if the time is right to review the targets to have a "more sophisticated measurement".