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Deal done to pass Scottish budget Deal done to pass Scottish budget
(40 minutes later)
The Scottish Government has secured enough support to pass its budget for the coming year after striking a deal with the Liberal Democrats.The Scottish Government has secured enough support to pass its budget for the coming year after striking a deal with the Liberal Democrats.
In return for the party's backing, ministers have agreed to take forward a strategy for boosting the economy.In return for the party's backing, ministers have agreed to take forward a strategy for boosting the economy.
The minority government now hopes its £33bn spending plans can be passed on Wednesday, in the wake of their rejection by MSPs last week.The minority government now hopes its £33bn spending plans can be passed on Wednesday, in the wake of their rejection by MSPs last week.
Tory backing will give the SNP enough votes to pass the budget.Tory backing will give the SNP enough votes to pass the budget.
The agreement was reached after Labour, the Liberal Democrats and the Greens combined to vote down the budget in parliament last week, saying it would fail to help the Scottish economy through the current tough times.The agreement was reached after Labour, the Liberal Democrats and the Greens combined to vote down the budget in parliament last week, saying it would fail to help the Scottish economy through the current tough times.
We need to bring into the discussions about public expenditure, input from other political parties John SwinneyScottish finance secretaryWe need to bring into the discussions about public expenditure, input from other political parties John SwinneyScottish finance secretary
Ministers agreed to Lib Dem demands to make a submission to the Calman Commission on borrowing powers for the Scottish Parliament.Ministers agreed to Lib Dem demands to make a submission to the Calman Commission on borrowing powers for the Scottish Parliament.
The SNP has been highly critical of the commission, which is reviewing devolution 10 years on, because it has ruled out looking at independence.The SNP has been highly critical of the commission, which is reviewing devolution 10 years on, because it has ruled out looking at independence.
The government also backed Lib Dem calls for a finance sector jobs task force and a review of Scottish public spending.The government also backed Lib Dem calls for a finance sector jobs task force and a review of Scottish public spending.
And ministers made a commitment to commission new school building projects this year, under its Scottish Futures Trust alternative to PPP/PFI funding.And ministers made a commitment to commission new school building projects this year, under its Scottish Futures Trust alternative to PPP/PFI funding.
Scottish Finance Secretary John Swinney, who said it was "a bit if a shock" not to get the budget through last week, described the move as an "important development in the politics of the Scottish Parliament". Scottish Finance Secretary John Swinney, who said it was "a bit of a shock" not to get the budget through last week, described the move as an "important development in the politics of the Scottish Parliament".
Cabinet meetingCabinet meeting
"There's a big change involved in this agreement, because what we've done is we've accepted we need to bring into the discussions about public expenditure, input from other political parties and with some external input," he told BBC Scotland."There's a big change involved in this agreement, because what we've done is we've accepted we need to bring into the discussions about public expenditure, input from other political parties and with some external input," he told BBC Scotland.
"I think that's in the spirit of a government acting without a majority.""I think that's in the spirit of a government acting without a majority."
Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Tavish Scott said: "We have a package for the long-term that can help tackle the economic difficulties the country is in.
"It's about building the new schools we need in Scotland, it's about helping local government and it's about making sure we can fund, in new ways, the [new] Forth Road Bridge and make sure no transport projects are under threat."
Ministers said they were looking for the broadest possible support for the budget, and would consider demands put forward by Labour and the Greens at the Scottish Government's weekly cabinet meeting.Ministers said they were looking for the broadest possible support for the budget, and would consider demands put forward by Labour and the Greens at the Scottish Government's weekly cabinet meeting.
It is thought Labour will be offered less than their current demands on boosting apprenticeships.It is thought Labour will be offered less than their current demands on boosting apprenticeships.