Failing to pass the Scottish Budget could result in operations being cancelled and medicines being rationed, John Swinney has warned.
The First Minister said the Budget not being passed would be “catastrophic” for the NHS.
The SNP lacks a majority at Holyrood and must win support from at least one other party when its spending plans are voted on next month.
If the budget does not pass, it means that the extra £1.7 billion funding from the UK Government could not be spent and that monthly budgets would be restricted.
Swinney used his speech in Edinburgh on Monday morning to warn other parties that blocking the budget would case “real damage”.
He said: “If party politicking results in the Budget failing to pass, there will be real damage done.”
Swinney continued: “It would put at risk £2bn of additional investment in the NHS, causing a catastrophic reduction in services delivery. Operations would likely have to be cancelled. Nurses and doctors pay rises would be under threat. Medicines might have to be rationed.
“It could mean no universal winter heating payments for pensioners, the record increase in arts and culture funding halted. Fewer teachers and no new money for additional support needs. Increased funding for affordable housing lost.
“Real damage to the very fabric of our public services. Real damage inflicted on some of the most vulnerable people in our land. For the good of Scotland I want to make sure that none of this comes to pass.”
Swinney had said earlier: “If the Budget fails to pass, the prospect of progress in tackling the issues this country urgently needs to address will be lost.
“For example, without a tax resolution passed by the Scottish Parliament, or a UK Government Treasury order in the House of Commons, at least £1.7 billion of tax revenues could disappear. Money that’s already built into the budgets of our hospitals, GPs, police service, transport system and schools.”
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