John Swinney has blamed Brexit for causing a recruitment crisis in Scotland which he claims is impacting every sector of the economy.
The Deputy First Minister has this week announced another round of spending cuts as he tries to balance the Scottish Government books at a time of soaring inflation and huge pressure on the NHS.
The SNP veteran yesterday set out "savings" of £615 million as part of his emergency budget review - including £400 million of spending "reprioritisation" within the health and social care portfolio in order to support a pay offer for staff.