CUTS to some WA government programs to fund others will continue in coming budgets, which is bound to annoy someone, the WA treasurer says.

The state’s 2017-18 deficit was forecast in December to hit $2.6 billion, with debt climbing to $37.35 billion but Ben Wyatt told a business function this week to expect lower figures.

Mr Wyatt told reporters on Thursday the budget would be “workman-like“, unsurprising and continue the push to restrain expense growth.

“When you focus on restraining the government footprint, that means some ministers and people will be disappointed,” he said.

“We’ll have to stop programs to fund others that we want to do.”

Asked about the big backlash that followed education cuts, Mr Wyatt said he would “absolutely not” be scared off making similar cuts.

“I think every budget you’ll see for a while yet will have some unpopular decisions,” he said.

“I think every decision I make annoys somebody somewhere.”

Mr Wyatt would not reveal whether there would be any new taxes.