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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Scottish budget close to approval | Scottish budget close to approval |
| (9 minutes later) | |
| The Scottish budget is close to being passed on the second attempt, after opposition parties won concessions from ministers in return for their support. | The Scottish budget is close to being passed on the second attempt, after opposition parties won concessions from ministers in return for their support. |
| Labour and the Lib Dems, who joined the Greens to vote down the £33bn spending plans for the coming year a week ago, will now back them. | Labour and the Lib Dems, who joined the Greens to vote down the £33bn spending plans for the coming year a week ago, will now back them. |
| Ministers agreed to demands put forward by the two parties on boosting apprenticeships and the economy. | Ministers agreed to demands put forward by the two parties on boosting apprenticeships and the economy. |
| Finance Secretary John Swinney said the budget would deliver economic recovery. | Finance Secretary John Swinney said the budget would deliver economic recovery. |
| The Conservatives supported the budget when it came before MSPs last week. | The Conservatives supported the budget when it came before MSPs last week. |
| We have demonstrated that, when necessary, government and opposition can find common ground John SwinneyScottish Finance Secretary | |
| Mr Swinney told MSPs: "We have demonstrated we have an overwhelming will to take the correct action to support public services and the Scottish economy. | Mr Swinney told MSPs: "We have demonstrated we have an overwhelming will to take the correct action to support public services and the Scottish economy. |
| "We have demonstrated that, in the face of major challenges over the future of public spending, we can agree on a way ahead. | "We have demonstrated that, in the face of major challenges over the future of public spending, we can agree on a way ahead. |
| "We have demonstrated that, when necessary, government and opposition can find common ground." | "We have demonstrated that, when necessary, government and opposition can find common ground." |
| In the wake of last week's budget defeat, Labour agreed to come on board after the minority SNP administration pledged to introduce nearly 8,000 extra apprenticeships. | In the wake of last week's budget defeat, Labour agreed to come on board after the minority SNP administration pledged to introduce nearly 8,000 extra apprenticeships. |
| Mr Swinney said the £16m plan in 2009-10 would boost total apprenticeships to 18,500. | |
| The Liberal Democrats said they would vote for the budget after ministers agreed to take forward a strategy to boost the economy. | |
| It includes SNP ministers making a submission to the Calman Commission - which is reviewing devolution - on borrowing powers for the Scottish Parliament, as well as a finance sector jobs task force and a review of Scottish public spending. | |
| Earlier, MSPs approved emergency measures allow all three scrutiny stages of the Budget Bill to be taken in a day. | Earlier, MSPs approved emergency measures allow all three scrutiny stages of the Budget Bill to be taken in a day. |