Angela Rayner has denied allegations that the UK government have forced spending cuts in Scotland.
The deputy prime minister was challenged by John Swinney over winter fuel payments during talks in Edinburgh.
Budget cuts at Westminster have forced Scottish ministers to make tough decisions, forcing Mr Swinney's administration to impose emergency controls on spending.
Mr Swinney said Scotland was facing "the most challenging financial circumstances in the devolution era".
However, Ms Rayner insisted that this was not the case.
"We’re getting on and governing and working collaboratively," she said.
The Scottish Government decided to axe the universal winter fuel payment for pensioners in Scotland, a move that was also announced by the Chancellor Rachel Reeves, to help plug £22billion blackhole in public finances.
Mr Swinney said the Labour government made the decision "without any consultation" and insisted his government had "no alternative but to replicate this decision".