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Scottish budget close to approval Scottish budget approved by MSPs
(about 3 hours 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 has been 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 voted down the £33bn spending plans for the coming year a week ago - backed them this time, along with the Tories.
Ministers agreed to demands put forward by the two parties on boosting apprenticeships and the economy. But the two Green MSPs, whose votes helped reject the spending plans last Wednesday, refused again to back them.
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. Labour and the Lib Dems had previously said the budget would fail to help Scotland through the financial downturn.
We have demonstrated that, when necessary, government and opposition can find common ground John SwinneyScottish Finance SecretaryWe have demonstrated that, when necessary, government and opposition can find common ground John SwinneyScottish Finance Secretary
But the two parties agreed to support it after ministers agreed to their demands on increasing apprenticeships and boosting the 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.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 almost 8,000 extra apprenticeships.
Mr Swinney said the £16m plan in 2009-10 would boost total apprenticeships to 18,500.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.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.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.
Despite the offer of a £30m home energy efficiency scheme, the two Green MSPs still refused to support the budget.
Green MSP Patrick Harvie said the proposal fell short of his party's proposed £100m-a-year free home insulation scheme.
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.