Scottish ministers largely to blame for spending crisis, says watchdog

Scottish Fiscal Commission says emergency cuts are a result of under-budgeting for public sector pay awards

Scotland's financial watchdog has said Scottish ministers are largely responsible for a spending crisis that is leading to deep cuts to non-essential services.

The Scottish Fiscal Commission, which has a similar role to the Office for Budget Responsibility in London, said ministers in Edinburgh had spent heavily on public sector pay deals without proper planning.