This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-42876065

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Scottish government secures budget deal with Greens Scottish government secures budget deal with Greens
(35 minutes later)
The Scottish government has secured a deal with the Greens to pass its budget proposals ahead of a Holyrood vote.The Scottish government has secured a deal with the Greens to pass its budget proposals ahead of a Holyrood vote.
Finance Secretary Derek Mackay had been in negotiations with opposition leaders to find backing for his plans, which include changes to the tax system.Finance Secretary Derek Mackay had been in negotiations with opposition leaders to find backing for his plans, which include changes to the tax system.
The deal with the Greens will see an additional £170m going to local councils.The deal with the Greens will see an additional £170m going to local councils.
And proposals to raise public sector pay will cover 75% of workers rather than 51%.And proposals to raise public sector pay will cover 75% of workers rather than 51%.
The agreement means all public sector employees earning up to £36,500 will now receive a minimum 3% pay increase - which Mr Mackay said would cover 80% of NHS staff and the majority of teachers.The agreement means all public sector employees earning up to £36,500 will now receive a minimum 3% pay increase - which Mr Mackay said would cover 80% of NHS staff and the majority of teachers.
An anomaly in Mr Mackay's draft budget proposals that would have seen a relatively small number of higher earners paying less tax than last year rather than more will also be addressed. An anomaly in Mr Mackay's draft budget proposals from December that would have seen those earning between £43,525 and £58,500 paying less tax than last year rather than more will also be addressed.
Mr Mackay said this will be done by changing the new higher rate threshold to £43,438 rather than the £44,274 that had originally been proposed - a move which he said would raise an additional £55m in taxation. Mr Mackay said this would be done by changing the new higher rate threshold to £43,438 rather than the £44,274 that had originally been proposed - a move he said would raise an additional £55m in taxation.
But it means the nearly 400,00 people in Scotland who fall into the higher rate bracket will have to pay more tax than under the original proposals.
The increased council funding includes an additional £10.5m to help fund inter-island ferries in Orkney and Shetland.The increased council funding includes an additional £10.5m to help fund inter-island ferries in Orkney and Shetland.
The minority SNP government had needed to win the support of at least one other party in the Scottish Parliament to pass its budget.The minority SNP government had needed to win the support of at least one other party in the Scottish Parliament to pass its budget.
Mr Mackay outlined details of the agreement in the Scottish Parliament after the Greens confirmed a deal had been reached earlier on Wednesday.Mr Mackay outlined details of the agreement in the Scottish Parliament after the Greens confirmed a deal had been reached earlier on Wednesday.
Scottish Green co-convener Patrick Harvie said the extra council funding "more than reverses all of the £157m of local government cuts proposed by the SNP".Scottish Green co-convener Patrick Harvie said the extra council funding "more than reverses all of the £157m of local government cuts proposed by the SNP".
He added: "Last year we stopped the cuts; this year we've pushed the government even further and delivered a real-terms increase in funding, including a fair contribution towards the additional pressures councils are facing.He added: "Last year we stopped the cuts; this year we've pushed the government even further and delivered a real-terms increase in funding, including a fair contribution towards the additional pressures councils are facing.
"While other parties continue to posture from the sidelines, Greens are making Scotland fairer.""While other parties continue to posture from the sidelines, Greens are making Scotland fairer."
Talks had also been held with the Lib Dems, who were seeking more support for education and health along with financial backing for ferry services in Orkney and Shetland, but an agreement could not be reached.Talks had also been held with the Lib Dems, who were seeking more support for education and health along with financial backing for ferry services in Orkney and Shetland, but an agreement could not be reached.
However, additional funding for the ferries will be included in the budget regardless - which could be enough to win the backing of Lib Dem MSPs Liam McArthur and Tavish Scott, who represent Orkney and Shetland respectively. However, additional funding for the ferries will be included in the budget regardless - which was enough to win the backing of Lib Dem MSPs Liam McArthur and Tavish Scott, who represent Orkney and Shetland respectively.
Talks went down to the wire, with Green co-convener Patrick Harvie revealing he had stayed in contact via wi-fi even while taking part in a finance committee session about Brexit on Wednesday morning.Talks went down to the wire, with Green co-convener Patrick Harvie revealing he had stayed in contact via wi-fi even while taking part in a finance committee session about Brexit on Wednesday morning.
The Greens also backed last year's budget after securing a package worth a total of £220m in extra spending, including £160m for local authorities.The Greens also backed last year's budget after securing a package worth a total of £220m in extra spending, including £160m for local authorities.
Mr Mackay said his proposals for the forthcoming financial year would "reverse Tory cuts, deliver support for the economy and increase health spending by £400m".Mr Mackay said his proposals for the forthcoming financial year would "reverse Tory cuts, deliver support for the economy and increase health spending by £400m".
New tax bandsNew tax bands
And he said the budget would provide "stability, sustainability and stimulus" for the economy and services.And he said the budget would provide "stability, sustainability and stimulus" for the economy and services.
Mr Mackay's draft budget, which was published in December, outlined plans for a new tax band of 21p for those earning more than £24,000.Mr Mackay's draft budget, which was published in December, outlined plans for a new tax band of 21p for those earning more than £24,000.
The higher rate of tax would be increased from 40p to 41p and the top rate from 45p to 46p, while a starter rate of 19p in the pound would also be introduced.The higher rate of tax would be increased from 40p to 41p and the top rate from 45p to 46p, while a starter rate of 19p in the pound would also be introduced.
Mr Mackay said the income tax proposals meant about 55% of taxpayers in Scotland would pay less than they would elsewhere in the UK.Mr Mackay said the income tax proposals meant about 55% of taxpayers in Scotland would pay less than they would elsewhere in the UK.
What have the other opposition parties had to say?What have the other opposition parties had to say?
Scottish Conservative finance spokesman Murdo Fraser accused the Greens of "falling sweetly into line", and caricatured the party as a "wholly owned subsidiary" of the SNP which was "taking orders from head office".Scottish Conservative finance spokesman Murdo Fraser accused the Greens of "falling sweetly into line", and caricatured the party as a "wholly owned subsidiary" of the SNP which was "taking orders from head office".
He also claimed the budget could be summed up as: "Pay more, get less".He also claimed the budget could be summed up as: "Pay more, get less".
His Scottish Labour counterpart, James Kelly, said the budget "falls well short of what is required."His Scottish Labour counterpart, James Kelly, said the budget "falls well short of what is required."
Mr Kelly added: "The grubby deal that has been announced today by Derek Mackay, the Green-SNP deal, just doesn't cut it. Scotland's communities have been sold short by the SNP and Greens today."Mr Kelly added: "The grubby deal that has been announced today by Derek Mackay, the Green-SNP deal, just doesn't cut it. Scotland's communities have been sold short by the SNP and Greens today."
And Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie said the budget did not provide the "transformational change" that Scotland needs.And Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie said the budget did not provide the "transformational change" that Scotland needs.