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Scottish budget expected to pass Scottish budget expected to pass
(about 10 hours later)
The Scottish budget for the year ahead is expected to be approved, despite continued opposition concern.The Scottish budget for the year ahead is expected to be approved, despite continued opposition concern.
The minority SNP government has offered last-minute investment for a boiler scrappage scheme and has made moves to boost housing, education and business.The minority SNP government has offered last-minute investment for a boiler scrappage scheme and has made moves to boost housing, education and business.
Labour demanded an 11th-hour reinstatement of the Glasgow Airport rail link, but that is unlikely.Labour demanded an 11th-hour reinstatement of the Glasgow Airport rail link, but that is unlikely.
The £30bn budget may pass the crunch Holyrood vote with Tory and Green support. The Lib Dems could abstain.The £30bn budget may pass the crunch Holyrood vote with Tory and Green support. The Lib Dems could abstain.
Scottish Finance Secretary John Swinney said the £300m airport rail link had to go to deal with a predicted public spending squeeze in the coming years.Scottish Finance Secretary John Swinney said the £300m airport rail link had to go to deal with a predicted public spending squeeze in the coming years.
Brian TaylorPolitical editor Scottish ministers say they'll match the English plan for a boiler scrappage scheme.
Which means what? That they will find £2m to provide £400 for everyone who chooses to replace the oldest generation of domestic boilers.
Which means what, seriously? That this is a further hook for the Greens in the budget talks - and an attempt to discomfit Labour.
You'll remember that Labour has been pressing for weeks for Holyrood to match the Westminster plan.
Scottish ministers indicated their emphasis was upon more general measures to improve fuel efficiency, targeted upon low-income families.
However, on the day of the budget, they've budged.
They hope it will make it more difficult for Labour to say no.
Read Brian Taylor's blog
But Scottish Labour leader Iain Gray said the cancellation would cost Glasgow more than 1,300 jobs, adding: "It is not only a blow to the West of Scotland but will harm Scotland's competitive edge."But Scottish Labour leader Iain Gray said the cancellation would cost Glasgow more than 1,300 jobs, adding: "It is not only a blow to the West of Scotland but will harm Scotland's competitive edge."
Brian TaylorPolitical editor The SNP are a minority government, they require support from other parties if they are to get their £30bn spending plans through.
I don't think it will be as fraught as it was last year, when the budget actually went down and had to be revived.
I don't think there is the mood for that level of difficulty, particularly given the crisis there has been in the economy and the potential challenges coming down the road for public spending.
Read Brian Taylor's blog
Scottish ministers will put pressure on Labour to back the budget by announcing a £2m plan to extend the replacement of old domestic boilers, a scheme already running in England.Scottish ministers will put pressure on Labour to back the budget by announcing a £2m plan to extend the replacement of old domestic boilers, a scheme already running in England.
It would entitle anyone replacing the oldest category of domestic boiler to £400 assistance.It would entitle anyone replacing the oldest category of domestic boiler to £400 assistance.
Under a revision of the current budget, ministers set out a £20m boost to meet the surge in demand for college places, £10m to support access to finance for firms and an additional £31m for affordable housing, reflecting key opposition demands.Under a revision of the current budget, ministers set out a £20m boost to meet the surge in demand for college places, £10m to support access to finance for firms and an additional £31m for affordable housing, reflecting key opposition demands.
And the government said it would publish information on the progress of its 36 largest capital spending projects, such as the new Southern General Hospital in Glasgow, although the move did not amount to the month-by-month outline demanded by rival parties. And the government decided to publish information on the progress of its 36 largest capital spending projects, such as the new Southern General Hospital in Glasgow, although the move did not amount to the month-by-month outline demanded by rival parties.
Mr Swinney has said he would welcome suggestions from opposition parties which protected frontline services and promoted economic recovery.Mr Swinney has said he would welcome suggestions from opposition parties which protected frontline services and promoted economic recovery.
He has already announced a pay freeze for senior civil servants and has been considering a Liberal Democrat demand to cut the pay of the highest public sector earners.He has already announced a pay freeze for senior civil servants and has been considering a Liberal Democrat demand to cut the pay of the highest public sector earners.
The Conservatives' Derek Brownlee said his party would make its final budget vote decision on Wednesday afternoon.The Conservatives' Derek Brownlee said his party would make its final budget vote decision on Wednesday afternoon.
The two Green MSPs, who won a budget concession for £10m renewable energy funding, said more needed to be done on home energy efficiency.The two Green MSPs, who won a budget concession for £10m renewable energy funding, said more needed to be done on home energy efficiency.
The party played a key role in parliament rejecting the budget last time round, before it was passed on the second attempt.The party played a key role in parliament rejecting the budget last time round, before it was passed on the second attempt.