The Scottish government's budget for the year ahead is expected to pass its first parliamentary hurdle, despite concern from rival parties.
Senior Scottish civil servants will have their pay frozen in the year ahead amid a "bleak" outlook for public spending, the government has said.
Ministers said the £35bn spending plans would protect frontline public services such as schools and hospitals.
Finance Secretary John Swinney's announcement came as he called on MSPs to support the 2010-11 Scottish budget.
Finance Secretary John Swinney is likely to say which concessions he will give to other parties so the minority SNP government can pass the budget.
The minister is also considering Lib Dem demands to cut the pay of the highest public sector earners.
It is expected to go through with Conservative and Lib Dem support.
The minority SNP government's £35bn budget is expected to pass its first parliamentary hurdle.
But Labour, which demanded the government re-instate the cancelled Glasgow Airport rail link, is likely to oppose it.
But Labour, which demanded the government re-instate the cancelled Glasgow Airport rail link, will oppose it.
MSPs will debate the draft 2010-11 budget as Scottish ministers warned of a spending squeeze, brought on by Westminster efficiency savings.
Mr Swinney told parliament the Budget Bill would protect frontline public services such as schools, hospitals and policing.
Brian TaylorPolitical editor I expect John Swinney this afternoon, opening the debate, to signal support for significant pay constraint in the upper echelons of the public sector.
And he expressed a willingness to work on concessions with rival parties - but said they must be realistic amid cuts imposed by Westminster efficiency savings.
In the next few weeks, Mr Swinney will outline a full pay policy. But we should get some pointers this afternoon.
"We debate this bill at a time when much remains uncertain, both in relation to the prospects for the global economy and to future spending decisions that may be taken by the United Kingdom government over the coming year," said Mr Swinney.
He'll back a freeze in top salaries - where he has the power to do so.
"However, despite the uncertainty that exists, there is general agreement that the outlook for the public finances appears bleak over the next few years."
He'll urge the public sector to shelve bonuses. And he'll argue the overall salary bill should be driven down.
Parliament will be asked to give its final approval to the budget in the next fortnight.
The Liberal Democrats said they wanted pay cuts for top public servants in return for their support for the bill.
The Tories have urged the finance secretary to prepare an emergency budget, which could be used in the event of more public spending cuts after the UK election.
Mr Swinney said he would welcome constructive proposals from opposition parties - but has warned they must be realistic, given what cash was available.
Labour finance spokesman Andy Kerr accused the SNP of collaborating with the Conservatives to bring in massive cuts.
He said: "John Swinney's budget for 2010-11 is growing by almost £1bn, but he is refusing to listen to the needs of the economy.
"The SNP have failed to make a single change to their budget in response to the global recession."
Conservative finance spokesman Derek Brownlee accused Labour of being unrealistic
He said: "In recent weeks. Scottish Labour has demanded almost £800m of extra spending. They have abandoned any pretence of credibility on Scotland's budget."
If passed, the budget would need two further votes at Holyrood, before winning final approval.
Last year's budget was defeated by a casting vote during the process and then passed at the second attempt, after opposition parties won concessions from ministers in return for their support.
