The referendum is a choice of two visions of Scotland’s future, Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon declared while campaigning in the north-east.
The SNP deputy leader claimed a No vote in September could result in up to £4billion being slashed from the Scottish budget.
Both Labour and the Conservatives were committed to further austerity across the UK, with senior party figures advocating abolishing the Barnett formula which determines how much money Scotland receives from Westminster.
Both Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander and Labour leader Ed Miliband have said they have no plans to ditch Barnett.
Speaking ahead of a meeting in Inverurie last night, Ms Sturgeon reiterated claims that the “privatisation” of the NHS south of the border will mean less money for the Scottish health service, and that Scotland risks being dragged out of the EU by the “looming in-out referendum”.
By contrast a Yes vote would protect Scotland budget, end the threat to business posed by withdrawal from the EU, and keep the NHS as a public institution.
“As the referendum date gets closer, the campaign has crystallised into a choice between two futures for Scotland,” she said.
“On the one hand there is the dismal prospect of Scotland being locked into Westminster’s damaging austerity agenda – which would see Scotland’s public services stretched as never before as funding cuts bite ever harder.
“Or there is the choice of a Yes vote to create new opportunities for Scotland.”