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-24040310
The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Scottish budget: Swinney outlining spending plans | |
| (about 14 hours later) | |
| Scotland's finance secretary is setting out his spending plans for the next two financial years later, billing it as a "budget for independence". | |
| John Swinney is announcing proposals to boost the economy, confirming the cost of the new Queensferry crossing has been cut by £145m, releasing funds. | |
| He is also expected to pledge limited plans to compensate Scots for Westminster benefit cuts. | He is also expected to pledge limited plans to compensate Scots for Westminster benefit cuts. |
| But opposition parties will urge him to go further and do more. | But opposition parties will urge him to go further and do more. |
| Speaking ahead of his budget announcement, Mr Swinney said the Scottish government was supporting an investment-led recovery. | |
| "We are managing public expenditure very, very tightly and very carefully to maximise the value for the taxpayer," he said. | "We are managing public expenditure very, very tightly and very carefully to maximise the value for the taxpayer," he said. |
| "So in every step we take, whatever project we are looking at, whatever area of service, we are exercising ever more stringent financial scrutiny to make sure we deliver the maximum value for the public pound, but also we maximise the effectiveness of the use of public money investing in our public services." | "So in every step we take, whatever project we are looking at, whatever area of service, we are exercising ever more stringent financial scrutiny to make sure we deliver the maximum value for the public pound, but also we maximise the effectiveness of the use of public money investing in our public services." |
| Mr Swinney has announced that the cost of the new bridge over the Firth of Forth is an estimated £145m lower than previously thought, freeing up funds. | Mr Swinney has announced that the cost of the new bridge over the Firth of Forth is an estimated £145m lower than previously thought, freeing up funds. |
| His budget is also expected to include measures to mitigate the impact of the UK government's cuts to housing benefits for people judged to have spare rooms. | |
| Opposition parties will call on the finance secretary to address issues ranging from the cost of living and housing, to college funding and childcare. | Opposition parties will call on the finance secretary to address issues ranging from the cost of living and housing, to college funding and childcare. |
| Labour have said they want more action on the under-occupancy charge, labelled "the bedroom tax" by critics. | Labour have said they want more action on the under-occupancy charge, labelled "the bedroom tax" by critics. |
| The Liberal Democrats will urge the SNP administration to reverse cuts to college budgets and extend free childcare, while the Greens have called for measures to address the rising cost of living. | The Liberal Democrats will urge the SNP administration to reverse cuts to college budgets and extend free childcare, while the Greens have called for measures to address the rising cost of living. |