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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
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| Scottish budget: Swinney outlines spending plans | Scottish budget: Swinney outlines spending plans |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Scotland's finance secretary has set out his spending plans for the next two years, insisting they would boost the economy. | Scotland's finance secretary has set out his spending plans for the next two years, insisting they would boost the economy. |
| John Swinney said there would be more cash for housing, despite having his overall budget cut by UK ministers. | John Swinney said there would be more cash for housing, despite having his overall budget cut by UK ministers. |
| He also said the SNP government would help mitigate against Westminster welfare reforms. | He also said the SNP government would help mitigate against Westminster welfare reforms. |
| But the opposition accused him of putting Scotland "on pause" until next autumn's independence referendum. | But the opposition accused him of putting Scotland "on pause" until next autumn's independence referendum. |
| Speaking in the Scottish Parliament, Mr Swinney said his draft budget, funded by a Treasury block grant, would also pay for a national performance centre for sport. | |
| And he said the council tax freeze would continue, along with universal benefits like free prescriptions. | |
| Mr Swinney told MSPs the Scottish government's conventional capital budget was being reduced by 26.6%, as UK ministers seek to reduce the nation's spending deficit. | |
| Speaking ahead of the independence referendum, on 18 September 2014, he said: "We have a highly skilled workforce, a long-standing reputation for innovation, a respected and recognisable brand, world-class universities and sectors and companies competing at the highest level across international markets. | |
| "With the full decision-making powers of independence, I should, today, be able to present a budget that puts all of that economic strength to use in building a more prosperous and a more just Scotland. | |
| "instead, as a result of Westminster's decisions, I must today present a budget constrained by significant cuts." | |
| Mr Swinney said the budget would: | |
| The finance secretary also said UK government welfare cuts would take an estimated £4.5bn out of the Scottish economy. | |
| He announced that £20m would be spent this year to support those struggling with UK-wide housing benefit changes, dubbed the "bedroom tax" by critics. |