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Swinney makes additional £382m available in Scottish budget MSPs pass £30bn Scottish budget at Holyrood
(40 minutes later)
Scotland's Finance Secretary John Swinney has committed extra government cash to support students, transport, housing and health projects. MSPs have approved the Scottish government's £30bn budget in a Holyrood vote which saw 70 members backing it and 52 members rejecting it.
During his budget update to Holyrood, he announced additional capital spending of £382m, for 2012 to 2015. Earlier, Scotland's Finance Secretary John Swinney confirmed an extra £382m would go to support students, transport, housing and health projects.
The government's £30bn spending plans are likely to be passed by parliament. Labour said it was not enough and the Conservatives attacked plans to increase business taxes.
Mr Swinney said £19.5m would be given to student support; £45m to affordable housing; £72m to roads projects and an extra £94m to local government. However, Mr Swinney said his budget was one for growth.
He said £19.5m would be given to student support; £45m to affordable housing; £72m to roads projects and an extra £94m to local government.
But opposition parties have maintained that the budget does not do enough to address issues such as unemployment.But opposition parties have maintained that the budget does not do enough to address issues such as unemployment.
Mr Swinney has insisted that the proposals in his Budget Bill "will boost public sector capital investment, takes direct action to tackle unemployment, in particular youth unemployment, and enhances economic security across the Scottish economy".Mr Swinney has insisted that the proposals in his Budget Bill "will boost public sector capital investment, takes direct action to tackle unemployment, in particular youth unemployment, and enhances economic security across the Scottish economy".
He told MSPs: "I have listened to views from across Scotland and this is a budget for growth that puts the interests of our economy, our public services and the people of Scotland first."He told MSPs: "I have listened to views from across Scotland and this is a budget for growth that puts the interests of our economy, our public services and the people of Scotland first."
Mr Swinney confirmed his public health supplement which will be levied against large retail proprieties which sell alcohol and are registered for tobacco sales.Mr Swinney confirmed his public health supplement which will be levied against large retail proprieties which sell alcohol and are registered for tobacco sales.
He said about 240 retail premises - or 0.1% of all business premises in Scotland - would pay more.He said about 240 retail premises - or 0.1% of all business premises in Scotland - would pay more.
But the SNP minister added that following talks with retailers he was going to reduce the amount paid by individual retailers and limit the length of time that the supplement would apply.But the SNP minister added that following talks with retailers he was going to reduce the amount paid by individual retailers and limit the length of time that the supplement would apply.
Mr Swinney said the change to the plan would reduce the estimated income by £15m to £95m over the three-year period up to 2015.Mr Swinney said the change to the plan would reduce the estimated income by £15m to £95m over the three-year period up to 2015.
He believed that the reduction would be offset "in full" by the income generated through matching the English Large Business Supplement.He believed that the reduction would be offset "in full" by the income generated through matching the English Large Business Supplement.
Mr Swinney also confirmed that the public health supplement would be a temporary measure applied for the next three years.Mr Swinney also confirmed that the public health supplement would be a temporary measure applied for the next three years.
Scottish Labour's finance spokesman Ken Macintosh MSP said the additional funding did not go far enough and the budget did not recognise the scale of the "jobs crisis" Scotland was facing.Scottish Labour's finance spokesman Ken Macintosh MSP said the additional funding did not go far enough and the budget did not recognise the scale of the "jobs crisis" Scotland was facing.
He added: "Despite today's last minute announcement, the SNP government is still choosing to make huge cuts to housing, our colleges and the services people depend on locally.He added: "Despite today's last minute announcement, the SNP government is still choosing to make huge cuts to housing, our colleges and the services people depend on locally.
"It is simply not good enough to cut the budget by £40m this year rising to £74m in two years' time - then to give back £19m and expect a round of applause."It is simply not good enough to cut the budget by £40m this year rising to £74m in two years' time - then to give back £19m and expect a round of applause.
"John Swinney talks of a budget for jobs and growth but there is no sign in this budget of a government grabbing the economy by the scruff of the neck - no sign of the dynamism needed to galvanise the economy, no sign even of a government taking all possible steps to protect jobs and create employment. ""John Swinney talks of a budget for jobs and growth but there is no sign in this budget of a government grabbing the economy by the scruff of the neck - no sign of the dynamism needed to galvanise the economy, no sign even of a government taking all possible steps to protect jobs and create employment. "