THE Finance Secretary has refused to comment on proposed cuts in education and social care being considered by an SNP-run council.

Derek Mackay said he would not be drawn on “individual decisions” after Tory MSP Murdo Fraser confronted him with a list of possible cuts at Perth & Kinross Council.

Mr Mackay was ambushed while giving evidence about his 2017-18 draft budget to Holyrood’s Finance Committee, which included questions submitted via Twitter.

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Opposition parties say the budget will impose £327m in cuts on local authorities next year, a figure Mr Mackay strongly rejects.

Mr Fraser, a list MSP for Mid-Scotland and Fife, said his constituents in Perth & Kinross, which is run by an SNP minority administration, faced bigger bills and poorer services.

He said: “These are some of the things that they are considering.

“Cutting 24 secondary teachers in Maths and English, removing primary school swimming lessons, a reduction in community campus opening hours, increasing the cost of school lunches from £2.10 a day to £2.70, scrapping the community warden scheme and cutting 94 care home places.

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"So my constituents in Perth and Kinross are going to be asked to pay more council tax... and they are seeing a cut in services at the same time. Who is to blame?”

Mr Mackay replied: “I am not going to be drawn on individual decisions on what local authorities may choose to do.

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"It’s up to each local authority to explain to their electorate the decisions they take around council tax, and also spending."