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Scottish government budget to be passed Scottish budget: Colleges and housing sector given extra £48m
(about 4 hours later)
The Scottish government's budget for the year ahead is expected to be approved, despite strong criticism from opposition parties. Scotland's finance secretary has promised a cash boost to colleges and the housing sector as he seeks to win approval for his spending plans.
The £28.6bn proposals will aid economic recovery despite the global economic downturn and Westminster funding cuts, said SNP ministers. During Holyrood's budget debate, John Swinney told MSPs there would be an additional £38m for affordable housing and renovation projects.
There could be more money for colleges and housing, following demands from Labour, the Tories and Lib Dems. He also said college funding would increase by £10m next year.
The parties said the plans as they were did not encourage growth. Labour's Ken Macintosh said Mr Swinney's budget measures were "disappointing".
Ministers have said they were willing to listen to opposition suggestions on improving the budget, but said those must include information on where the money to pay for them would be coming from. Despite criticism from opposition parties, the Scottish government's spending plans are expected to be approved.
Finance Secretary John Swinney, who will ask MSPs to back the government's href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/Bills/58655.aspx" >Budget Bill has said his budget, funded by the Treasury, was being cut by about 8% in real terms between 2010-11 and 2014-15, as Westminster ministers seek to cut the spending deficit. Ahead of the key debate, SNP ministers said the £28.6bn proposals would aid economic recovery despite the global economic downturn and Westminster funding cuts.
Even if opposition parties vote against the spending plans, the SNP majority at Holyrood will ensure they are passed. Opposition MSPs said the plans as they were did not encourage growth.
Mr Swinney said his plans would create jobs and support business, as well as keep up spending on infrastructure projects and public sector reform. rel="stylesheet" rev="stylesheet" href="http://static.bbci.co.uk/modules/twitter/0.1.64/css/gel_preset.css"/> rel="stylesheet" rev="stylesheet" href="http://static.bbci.co.uk/modules/twitter/0.1.64/css/gel_single_account.css"/>
Budget open debate now, and SNP's Bruce Crawford having a go at the "dithering" UK government against the "decisive" action of the SNP one
10 Minutes ago
    • @JohnSwinney also says there will be £2m to bring empty town centre properties into use and £1m to double entrepreneurship support
    17 Minutes ago
    • Scottish budget recap: @johnswinney says colleges will get an extra £61m, housing an extra £38m, £10m more for trunk road maintenance.
    18 Minutes ago
    • Mr Macintosh says Mr Swinney is trying to make much of his "legal obligation" to balance the budget.
    22 Minutes ago
    • Mr Macintosh says the government has failed to restore cuts imposed in previous budgets. He says £35m taken from colleges needs restoring
    26 Minutes ago
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    Ministers have said they would be willing to listen to opposition suggestions on improving the budget, but said those would need to include information on where the money to pay for them would be coming from.
    Mr Swinney, who has asked MSPs to back the government's Budget Bill, said his budget, funded by the Treasury, was being cut by about 8% in real terms between 2010-11 and 2014-15, as Westminster ministers seek to cut the spending deficit.
    The SNP minister said his plans would create jobs and support business, as well as keep up spending on infrastructure projects and public sector reform.
    He also said help for young people included the offer of education or training to unemployed 16 to 19-year-olds and maintaining college student numbers.He also said help for young people included the offer of education or training to unemployed 16 to 19-year-olds and maintaining college student numbers.
    It is thought the finance secretary may announce more money for housing - to boost the construction sector. There could also be additional funding for the college sector. Before Mr Swinney announced his budget concessions, opposition politicians had backed concerns from the National Union of Students that colleges faced a £34.6m funding cut next year, and called for the reduction to be reversed.
    'Stronger society'
    Opposition politicians have backed concerns from the National Union of Students that colleges faced a £34.6m funding cut next year, and called for the reduction to be reversed.
    In addition to college funding, the Conservatives said previous cuts to the housing budget needed to be reversed, and cash set aside for town centre regeneration.In addition to college funding, the Conservatives said previous cuts to the housing budget needed to be reversed, and cash set aside for town centre regeneration.
    The Liberal Democrats, who have been holding budget talks with Scottish ministers, want childcare provision for two-year-olds extended in line with a commitment from the UK government.The Liberal Democrats, who have been holding budget talks with Scottish ministers, want childcare provision for two-year-olds extended in line with a commitment from the UK government.
    Party leader Willie Rennie said: "Scottish Liberal Democrats have worked constructively with the Scottish government, as we did last year, to influence the budget.Party leader Willie Rennie said: "Scottish Liberal Democrats have worked constructively with the Scottish government, as we did last year, to influence the budget.
    "In tough economic times we must make choices which deliver a stronger economy in a fairer society.""In tough economic times we must make choices which deliver a stronger economy in a fairer society."
    Labour said the extra cash given to Scottish ministers by the UK government in the autumn statement should be used solely for housing.Labour said the extra cash given to Scottish ministers by the UK government in the autumn statement should be used solely for housing.
    The party's finance spokesman Ken Macintosh said: "Labour has put forward a very simple and affordable proposal focusing on colleges, housing and rail that John Swinney should adopt if he is truly serious about protecting Scottish jobs and promoting economic growth."