SCOTTISH government cuts will hit women hardest, the STUC women’s committee has warned.

The SNP-Green Scottish government will present its draft budget to Holyrood next week, which is expected to be the toughest in the devolution era as ministers seek to bridge a reported £1.1 billion black hole.

Union fears of swingeing cuts to services already in crisis after 15 years of austerity were only compounded in recent weeks as the finance secretary Shona Robison warned that the “size of the workforce will have to reduce” in Scotland’s public services.

Now trade unionists in the STUC women’s committee have warned of the disproportionate impact service cuts have on women.

They are more likely to live in poverty, have low wages, and have unpaid caring responsibilities for children, elderly, and disabled people, and far more likely to experience domestic abuse and gender-based violence, the committee said.

The committee also highlighted that 26 per cent of men are classed as high earners, compared with 18 per cent of women, while women gain the least from tax and National Insurance cuts.

STUC women’s committee chairwoman Lorna Glen warned: “If the Scottish government is serious about tackling gender inequality, then they need to invest in our public services.

“STUC’s tax report shows that is within the powers of our parliament — through income and property taxes — to raise £1.1bn from April next year.

“Coupled with longer-term wealth, property and aviation taxes, the Scottish government could raise a further £2.6bn.  

“Rather than threatening cuts to public services, these are the measures that we need to see if we are to reduce gender inequality.  

“It is women who both power our public services and depend on them.”  

A Scottish government spokesperson said: “We are proud that Scotland already has the most progressive income tax system in the UK, protecting women who make use of public services and those who earn less and asking those who earn more to contribute more.“