John Swinney: Blamed cuts at Westminster for looming problems. Pic: © STV
Scottish ministers will focus on boosting the economy and improving the environment in the face of looming cuts, the finance secretary has revealed.
John Swinney warned Scotland was facing a drop of £3.7bn in the amount it had to spend over the next four years.
Mr Swinney is beginning a series of meetings about his budget for 2011-12 later this week. He blamed cuts from Westminster - by both the current UK Government and the previous Labour administration - for the tough times ahead.
Mr Swinney said: "In dealing with these Westminster spending cuts, we have already said our budget priorities are economic recovery, protecting front line services and developing a low carbon Scotland as part of our efforts to drive forward the country's massive renewable energy potential."
Up to 50,000 jobs in the public sector could be axed, a review warned, adding that the Scottish Government's council tax freeze did not appear to be "sustainable" in the long term.
Speaking ahead of a meeting with councils, NHS workers and businesses, community and voluntary groups, Mr Swinney said: "I now want to hear first hand what people think of the challenges we face."
The finance secretary and Crawford Beveridge, who chaired the Independent Budget Review, are meeting public, private and voluntary sector representatives in Livingston, West Lothian, on Tuesday night. Meetings are also planned for Aberdeen, Galashiels, Glasgow, Kirkintilloch and Kirkcudbright.
Mr Swinney said: "We will not know the Scottish Government's budget until the UK Comprehensive Spending Review in October. When I publish the Scottish budget in November I am determined it will reflect the feedback we receive from West Lothian and other events around Scotland."
