John Swinney's spending plans - 'He did not quite get away with it'

THIS weekend's news agenda is still dominated by something that was announced a few days ago but won't happen until next year, though when it does come it will be inordinately expensive.

Not the wedding arrangements of Prince William to Kate Middleton, but the Scottish Government's spending plans for 2011/12.

John Swinney had a near-impossible task on Wednesday, when he unveiled a budget which was shaped by spending restrictions imposed from Westminster.

With 1.3 billion less to play with, the finance secretary had no choice other that to talk tough, though he forgot to say that next year's cuts would be half as much had the SNP not decided to defer savings this year.

And it was in the area of timing that Mr Swinney took most criticism, because he presented plans for just one financial year rather than looking further ahead.

As to the Lothians, the budget was a mixed bag. The commitment to the new Forth crossing remained, but the Sick Kids rebuilding will be delayed due to a - frankly unacceptable - U-turn on capital funding.

There was good news for council taxpayers, with all our local authorities set to sign up for another freeze, though this will inevitably impact on local services.

Overall, Mr Swinney's budget was even more political than usual, being designed to limit the amount of mud that can be thrown at the SNP in the run up to the Holyrood election.

The other parties complained, but they would have done exactly the same if they were in power at a time of massive cuts just six months before an election.

Even so, there is a feeling Mr Swinney did not quite get away with it. The deal with councils may unravel. It will also take time to get over the SNP's blunder of giving up the right to vary taxes in Scotland.

Most of all, as the rest of us start making our plans for next year - and, unlike Mr Swinney, beyond - the cost of the cuts will become clear.

As May approaches, the party or parties we most blame will pay the price as we decide who gets the chance to put things right.