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Scottish budget approved by MSPs | Scottish budget approved by MSPs |
(30 minutes later) | |
The Scottish budget has been 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 voted down the £33bn spending plans for the coming year a week ago - backed them this time, along with the Tories. | 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. |
But the two Green MSPs, whose votes helped reject the spending plans last Wednesday, refused again to back them. | 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. |
Labour and the Lib Dems had previously said the spending plans would fail to help Scotland through the financial downturn. | Labour and the Lib Dems had previously said the spending plans 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 Secretary | We have demonstrated that, when necessary, government and opposition can find common ground John SwinneyScottish Finance Secretary |
But the two parties agreed to support them, after ministers agreed to demands on increasing apprenticeships and boosting the economy. | But the two parties agreed to support them, after ministers agreed to 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 almost 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. |
'Bafflement and intrigue' | 'Bafflement and intrigue' |
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 backing the budget, Labour finance spokesman Andy Kerr said his party would continue to hold the government to account. | Despite backing the budget, Labour finance spokesman Andy Kerr said his party would continue to hold the government to account. |
"The budget does not answer all our ills and take on all these challenges we face," he said. | "The budget does not answer all our ills and take on all these challenges we face," he said. |
"Whilst we have recognised and welcomed the steps the Government has taken today, we can not kid ourselves into believing that as a result of our actions today our troubles are over." | "Whilst we have recognised and welcomed the steps the Government has taken today, we can not kid ourselves into believing that as a result of our actions today our troubles are over." |
Jeremy Purvis, the Liberal Democrat finance spokesman, welcomed another chance at negotiations, following the budget defeat. | Jeremy Purvis, the Liberal Democrat finance spokesman, welcomed another chance at negotiations, following the budget defeat. |
"After last Wednesday's vote, a result that most people in Scotland saw with a degree of bafflement and intrigue, the cabinet secretary's response does him credit," he said. | "After last Wednesday's vote, a result that most people in Scotland saw with a degree of bafflement and intrigue, the cabinet secretary's response does him credit," he said. |
"He immediately signalled the need for open and genuine discussion with others to secure the budget's passage as soon as possible." | "He immediately signalled the need for open and genuine discussion with others to secure the budget's passage as soon as possible." |
Independent MSP Margo MacDonald also voted for the budget bill. | |
But despite the government's offer of a £30m, targeted, home energy efficiency scheme, the Greens refused to support the budget. | |
Green co-leader Patrick Harvie said the initiative fell short of his party's proposed £100m-a-year free home insulation scheme. | Green co-leader Patrick Harvie said the initiative fell short of his party's proposed £100m-a-year free home insulation scheme. |
Noting comments by Mr Kerr that Labour voted against the budget "more in sorrow than anger", Mr Harvie told parliament: "I have to admit that, for myself, there was a measure of both in last week's debate - and no small measure either." | Noting comments by Mr Kerr that Labour voted against the budget "more in sorrow than anger", Mr Harvie told parliament: "I have to admit that, for myself, there was a measure of both in last week's debate - and no small measure either." |
The Tories' Derek Brownlee said his party had always approached the budget in a "constructive and responsible manner", saying the plans would bring forward measures such as more police, tax cuts for small businesses and a £60m town centre regeneration scheme. | The Tories' Derek Brownlee said his party had always approached the budget in a "constructive and responsible manner", saying the plans would bring forward measures such as more police, tax cuts for small businesses and a £60m town centre regeneration scheme. |
He added: "At Westminster, the defeat of a budget would bring down the government. At Holyrood, it seems, it brings down the opposition - at least, some of them." | He added: "At Westminster, the defeat of a budget would bring down the government. At Holyrood, it seems, it brings down the opposition - at least, some of them." |
Earlier, MSPs backed emergency measures allowing all three scrutiny stages of the Budget Bill - which was passed by 123 votes to two - to be taken in a day. | Earlier, MSPs backed emergency measures allowing all three scrutiny stages of the Budget Bill - which was passed by 123 votes to two - to be taken in a day. |