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Scottish budget: Colleges and housing sector given extra £48m | Scottish budget: Colleges and housing sector given extra £48m |
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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. | 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. |
During Holyrood's budget debate, John Swinney told MSPs there would be an additional £38m for affordable housing and renovation projects. | During Holyrood's budget debate, John Swinney told MSPs there would be an additional £38m for affordable housing and renovation projects. |
He also said college funding would increase by £10m next year. | He also said college funding would increase by £10m next year. |
Opposition parties said Mr Swinney's budget measures for the year ahead were "disappointing". | |
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Opposition MSPs said the budget failed to encourage growth, although the SNP's overall majority will ensure the spending plans are passed. | Opposition MSPs said the budget failed to encourage growth, although the SNP's overall majority will ensure the spending plans are passed. |
Labour's finance spokesman, Mr Macintosh, said of the budget: "There is nothing new here, nothing fresh, we are stuck with the same prescription the SNP have offered us for two years running and for two years running they have promised jobs and growth and yet there have been no jobs and no growth." | |
Gavin Brown, of the Conservatives, said of the Scottish government: "They asked to be judged on what this budget did for the economy. | |
"Mr Swinney said that he would put every single additional pound that he could into the economy, but we see disappointing results in colleges, we see disappointing results when it comes to housing and we see more disappointing results when it come to taxation." | |
Mr Brown also attacked SNP MSPs who applauded Mr Swinney's college announcement, adding: "They will regret watching that back on television, I have to say, as I don't think there will be any spontaneous rounds of applause outside the chamber for a £24m cut to colleges." | |
On the same theme, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie told parliament: "I found it astonishing there was celebration on the SNP benches when a cut of £25m was announced - that's nothing to celebrate. | |
"£10m was nothing compared with the £35m cut that was planned and I find that really, really, disappointing." | |
Mr Rennie also expressed regret that ministers did not act on his call to extend childcare to more two-year-olds. | |
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. | 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. |
Before Mr Swinney announced his 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. | |
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. |