The coalition government is “determined not to make the poor shoulder the burden of the cuts”, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has said.

In an exclusive Q&A with Holyrood magazine, Clegg said the aim of the current spending review is to ensure these are made in the fairest way, and accused Labour of “dishonesty” about its position on cuts.

“What angers me about Labour is their righteous indignation when they themselves had committed to making huge cuts without telling anyone where those cuts would happen. It is, frankly, dishonest.”

Clegg said he is “genuinely passionate” about social mobility and pledged that the Government will “do more than just concentrate on shifting people over arbitrary targets as Labour did.”

When questioned as to whether Labour’s reaction to the formation of the coalition surprised him, Clegg replied:

“Sadly, it has not. You cannot fight Labour in places like Sheffield as I have done and not be fully aware of their tribalism and their tactics. They have this belief that they have an unquestionable right to rule in certain areas of the country – whether that is Sheffield or indeed Scotland – and they become angry with anyone who has the temerity to beat them, which in truth, can make it all the sweeter.”

Clegg admits that he sought advice from Scottish Liberals about their experience of coalition in Holyrood, adding that: “It would have been foolish not to, given the depth of their experience and the strength of their achievements in government in Scotland over two terms.”

Asked how the Scottish Liberal Democrats should counter the charge that they are Tartan Tories in the run-up to the Scottish parliamentary elections in May, Clegg replied:

“By pointing out what complete nonsense that is. 

“The Scottish Liberal Democrats have always been a unique force for radical change and progressive politics in Scotland. Our record proves it. Free personal care for the elderly, fair votes in local government, freedom of information – we stood proudly on these policies and we delivered them in government.”

When Scottish party leader Tavish Scott outlines the Lib Dems’ policies and priorities it will set the party apart from not just the Conservatives, but from all the other parties also, he said, adding:

“We will fight for every vote, in every seat, against every party, and I am confident that we will do well.”

Read the full interview here or in the latest issue of Holyrood magazine, out today.