Public sector staff in Scotland face a pay freeze as Finance Secretary John Swinney looks to try to save a billion pounds in the budget, to be announced this week. Those earning more than £21,000 could face a freeze.

Mr Swinney says the move would save thousands of jobs.   He has blamed the £1bn in projected cuts on the finances pased on to Holyrood by Westminster.

He told a conference in Glasgow today that freezing the salaries of those earning £21,000 and above and extending the council tax freeze, will save 10,000 jobs.

John Swinney said: "There's going to be significant restraint on public sector pay, because without that we can't invest in fundamental public services people expect and depend upon. We're trying to engage with the unions and other bodies."

The pinch will be felt most in the NHS and across Scotland's local authorities.

Peter Hunter from Unison said: "There's going to be bad news for public sector workers and their families. They didn't cause these problems but they're being asked to provide the solution and that isn't fair."

The full details of the Scottish budget will be published on Wednesday. Do you work for the public sector? How badly would a pay freeze hit you? We'd like to hear from you. Get in touch by emailing the newsdesk.