AN MSP has raised concerns about potential cuts at North Lanarkshire Council, which could see the equivalent of around 1300 full-time jobs being axed.

The local authority said it will launch a public consultation next month as it has to save £73.3 million in three years.

It has set out draft "savings options", totalling £105.7m. If they are all implemented, 1387 full-time equivalent posts could go.

It said the final number would be significantly less depending on the decisions councillors reach.

John Pentland, Labour MSP for Motherwell and Wishaw, said he was "very concerned" about potential job losses.

He said: "But let us be clear where the responsibility for these cuts lies. They are a direct consequence of the Scottish Government's deep cuts in local government budgets. North Lanarkshire's funding from government is dropping 3% next year, on top of this year's 2.5% real-terms cut.

"That's 5.5% being cut over just two years, while the rest of the Scottish budget is only being cut by 0.3%. Next year local authorities are taking over 90% of the hit. The Scottish Government are not just passing on UK cuts, they are more than doubling them."

Councillors will meet next week to consider the options and consultation plan.

The council's chief executive, Gavin Whitefield, said a huge consultation exercise would be undertaken if the plan was approved.

Health Secretary Alex Neil criticised the council, saying the proposed cuts are a result of "financial mismanagement".

The MSP for Airdrie and Shotts said the Labour-run council is "butchering frontline services".

Mr Neil said: "The leadership is cutting the wrong services yet again. We are going to be left with piles of rubbish on street corners and school children forced to walk miles to school. It's like something out of a Dickens novel, not 21st- century Scotland."