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Scottish budget details set out Swinney seeks deal on budget plan
(about 3 hours later)
Scottish ministers are to set out detailed plans to speed up capital investment in key projects which it is hoped will create 4,000 jobs. Finance Secretary John Swinney has said he will pursue deals with other parties in an effort to get his budget endorsed at Holyrood.
The announcement comes as the Scottish Government's planned budget for the next financial year is published. He is about to publish details of the Scottish Government's budget plans for the next financial year.
These are expected to set out plans to speed up £260m of capital investment in key projects, which it is hoped will create 4,000 jobs.
The support of other parties is needed if the budget is to be approved.
Mr Swinney told the BBC's Good Morning Scotland programme: "I don't have a deal just now, I am still involved in discussions with other political parties.
I am ready and willing to offer Scottish Labour's support for any serious proposal that will boost the economy, but if the SNP's budget puts jobs and services at risk we will not support it Iain GrayScottish Labour leader
"There are 47 members of the SNP government parliamentary group and that is not enough to carry the budget within parliament, so I need to bring people together across the parties and I am utterly committed to doing that."
The government has £33bn to spend in the coming year.The government has £33bn to spend in the coming year.
Labour want the budget reshaped to target action on boosting the economy, while the Lib Dems have called for a 2p income tax cut.Labour want the budget reshaped to target action on boosting the economy, while the Lib Dems have called for a 2p income tax cut.
The Budget Bill setting out the government's plans was laid before the Scottish Parliament on Thursday and will be formally published on Friday.The Budget Bill setting out the government's plans was laid before the Scottish Parliament on Thursday and will be formally published on Friday.
Capital spending
But alongside that current expenditure, ministers will also set out plans to boost capital spending in health and education projects.But alongside that current expenditure, ministers will also set out plans to boost capital spending in health and education projects.
With Treasury agreement, they are accelerating £260m of investment.With Treasury agreement, they are accelerating £260m of investment.
Public spending
Finance Secretary John Swinney will explain how that will be spent and will forecast that the investment could produce 4,000 much-needed jobs.Finance Secretary John Swinney will explain how that will be spent and will forecast that the investment could produce 4,000 much-needed jobs.
More generally, Mr Swinney will pursue deals with other parties in an effort to get his budget endorsed at Holyrood. Mr Swinney said the Lib Dems' tax cut proposal "could not be done".
He said: "It would undermine the prospects of economic recovery if we reduced public spending by £800m."
However, he said other ways of "strengthening" the budget and gaining the support of other parties would be considered.
Labour leader Iain Gray said: "I am ready and willing to offer Scottish Labour's support for any serious proposal that will boost the economy, but if the SNP's budget puts jobs and services at risk we will not support it."Labour leader Iain Gray said: "I am ready and willing to offer Scottish Labour's support for any serious proposal that will boost the economy, but if the SNP's budget puts jobs and services at risk we will not support it."
Lib Dem Finance spokesman Jeremy Purvis said: "Our door remains open to the SNP as the economy needs a radical response from this Budget. So far they have been worryingly arrogant and complacent. They must realise that this puts their budget at risk."Lib Dem Finance spokesman Jeremy Purvis said: "Our door remains open to the SNP as the economy needs a radical response from this Budget. So far they have been worryingly arrogant and complacent. They must realise that this puts their budget at risk."