This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/scotland/7826959.stm

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Swinney fires budget vote warning Swinney fires budget vote warning
(about 8 hours later)
The Scottish Government has warned opposition parties not to block its £33bn spending plans for the next year, ahead of a crunch vote at Holyrood.The Scottish Government has warned opposition parties not to block its £33bn spending plans for the next year, ahead of a crunch vote at Holyrood.
Ministers urged MSPs not to jeopardise their plans to weather the economic crisis and "protect nearly 5,000 jobs".Ministers urged MSPs not to jeopardise their plans to weather the economic crisis and "protect nearly 5,000 jobs".
Rival parties have threatened to vote down the plans in Holyrood if their demands for changes are not met.Rival parties have threatened to vote down the plans in Holyrood if their demands for changes are not met.
MSPs are being asked to back the 2009-10 budget when it faces its first parliamentary hurdle.MSPs are being asked to back the 2009-10 budget when it faces its first parliamentary hurdle.
The spending plans include £230m brought forward to speed up a range of transport, health and education projects.The spending plans include £230m brought forward to speed up a range of transport, health and education projects.
Labour, the Liberal Democrats, Conservatives, the Greens and independent Margo MacDonald have been continuing talks with the minority government on gaining concessions, in return for their support.Labour, the Liberal Democrats, Conservatives, the Greens and independent Margo MacDonald have been continuing talks with the minority government on gaining concessions, in return for their support.
We are prepared to listen to reasonable ideas and proposals from across the parliament John SwinneyScottish finance secretary Lib Dem leader Tavish Scott, whose call for a 2p income tax cut was rejected by ministers, branded the budget "woefully inadequate".We are prepared to listen to reasonable ideas and proposals from across the parliament John SwinneyScottish finance secretary Lib Dem leader Tavish Scott, whose call for a 2p income tax cut was rejected by ministers, branded the budget "woefully inadequate".
"No other government, national or devolved, in Western Europe has made such a meagre response to this economic storm," he said."No other government, national or devolved, in Western Europe has made such a meagre response to this economic storm," he said.
Conservative leader Annabel Goldie said her party would not support the budget unless it supported "hard-pressed families and businesses".Conservative leader Annabel Goldie said her party would not support the budget unless it supported "hard-pressed families and businesses".
"The Scottish Parliament has an opportunity through responsible negotiations to secure a sensible budget for the people of Scotland," she said."The Scottish Parliament has an opportunity through responsible negotiations to secure a sensible budget for the people of Scotland," she said.
Labour finance spokesman Andy Kerr said ministers had to address his concerns about supporting employment and public services to win the party's support.Labour finance spokesman Andy Kerr said ministers had to address his concerns about supporting employment and public services to win the party's support.
'Difficult times'
He said: "What Labour would like to see in the budget is a much bigger and significant commitment by the government in Scotland to ensure we re-inflate the economy, support those in industry and commerce in need of support and ensure we look after the needs of apprentices and we develop our skills agenda."He said: "What Labour would like to see in the budget is a much bigger and significant commitment by the government in Scotland to ensure we re-inflate the economy, support those in industry and commerce in need of support and ensure we look after the needs of apprentices and we develop our skills agenda."
The Greens want a £100m-a-year for 10 years, to provide home insulation for all.The Greens want a £100m-a-year for 10 years, to provide home insulation for all.
Finance Secretary John Swinney said he was confident of winning enough support, adding: "We are prepared to listen to reasonable ideas and proposals from across the parliament."Finance Secretary John Swinney said he was confident of winning enough support, adding: "We are prepared to listen to reasonable ideas and proposals from across the parliament."
He went on: "In these difficult times, there is a responsibility on parliament, as well as the government, to meet that challenge and not jeopardise the accelerated investment and jobs by standing in the way of the budget."He went on: "In these difficult times, there is a responsibility on parliament, as well as the government, to meet that challenge and not jeopardise the accelerated investment and jobs by standing in the way of the budget."
The budget will move forward to the next stage of parliamentary scrutiny if passed at the first stage by MSPs, ahead of a final vote in parliament at the end of January.The budget will move forward to the next stage of parliamentary scrutiny if passed at the first stage by MSPs, ahead of a final vote in parliament at the end of January.