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Scottish budget at crucial stage 'Showdown' over Scottish budget
(about 7 hours later)
A key vote on the Scottish Government's £30bn budget will take place at Holyrood later. First Minister Alex Salmond has threatened to quit if the Scottish Government's £30bn budget is not backed in a key vote at Holyrood.
Decision day comes in the wake of a threat by First Minister Alex Salmond who said he would quit if the financial plan was not passed by MSPs. That could trigger an election but talks have been taking place to secure support for the minority SNP administration's proposals.
In the first budget debate last month, Finance Secretary John Swinney won backing, but only by a narrow margin. MSPs narrowly backed the spending plans in the first budget debate last month.
Sixty-four were in favour, including independent Margo MacDonald, 62 were against, and the two Greens abstained.Sixty-four were in favour, including independent Margo MacDonald, 62 were against, and the two Greens abstained.
A spokesman for the first minister said that if parliament does not approve the budget when MSPs vote at 1700 GMT the view of the government would be to "take it to the people".
In a bid to bring the Tories on board, SNP ministers held out the prospect of a new national drugs strategy, to be published before the summer recess.In a bid to bring the Tories on board, SNP ministers held out the prospect of a new national drugs strategy, to be published before the summer recess.
Community Safety Minister Fergus Ewing said this would bring about a "step change" in tackling drug misuse.
'Outstanding issue''Outstanding issue'
Community Safety Minister Fergus Ewing said this would bring about a "step change" in tackling drug misuse.
He said: "A key priority will be to ensure that those suffering from drug addiction receive the treatment, care and support which will best enable them to recover."He said: "A key priority will be to ensure that those suffering from drug addiction receive the treatment, care and support which will best enable them to recover."
A Tory spokesman said his party had "won major concessions".A Tory spokesman said his party had "won major concessions".
But he added its calls for accelerating a cut in business rates remained an "outstanding issue".But he added its calls for accelerating a cut in business rates remained an "outstanding issue".
On the eve of the vote, harsh words were exchanged between the Greens and the Liberal Democrats.On the eve of the vote, harsh words were exchanged between the Greens and the Liberal Democrats.
The Scottish Green Party said last week that despite concessions from Mr Swinney, the budget was not green enough for them.The Scottish Green Party said last week that despite concessions from Mr Swinney, the budget was not green enough for them.
Alex Salmond threatened to resign if the vote failsAlex Salmond threatened to resign if the vote fails
But Lib Dem MSP Mike Rumbles challenged the Green Party MSPs to declare whether they would abstain again or vote in favour of the budget.But Lib Dem MSP Mike Rumbles challenged the Green Party MSPs to declare whether they would abstain again or vote in favour of the budget.
He said: "I want the Greens to confirm whether or not they will vote against the budget if it contains key policies that they have campaigned against, such as the M74 extension.He said: "I want the Greens to confirm whether or not they will vote against the budget if it contains key policies that they have campaigned against, such as the M74 extension.
"Anything other than a vote against the budget by the Greens will be a massive betrayal by those few people who voted Green at the last election.""Anything other than a vote against the budget by the Greens will be a massive betrayal by those few people who voted Green at the last election."
Green MSP Patrick Harvie retorted that he could not take seriously any challenge from a member of the party which promoted the "abysmal M74 northern extension".Green MSP Patrick Harvie retorted that he could not take seriously any challenge from a member of the party which promoted the "abysmal M74 northern extension".
Mr Harvie said he and fellow Green Robin Harper would seek to exert "as much influence as possible" on the budget for the Scottish people and for the environment.Mr Harvie said he and fellow Green Robin Harper would seek to exert "as much influence as possible" on the budget for the Scottish people and for the environment.
Remaining confidentRemaining confident
Meanwhile independent Ms MacDonald, whose vote could also be crucial, said she was seeking more cash for NHS Lothian.Meanwhile independent Ms MacDonald, whose vote could also be crucial, said she was seeking more cash for NHS Lothian.
She said: "NHS Lothian has been under-funded to the tune of £11m per annum and although the health board has managed to break even, it is only fair that this shortfall in spending should be tackled as soon as possible."She said: "NHS Lothian has been under-funded to the tune of £11m per annum and although the health board has managed to break even, it is only fair that this shortfall in spending should be tackled as soon as possible."
On Tuesday Mr Salmond's spokesman said the first minister would resign and take the issue "to the people" if the budget fell at the crunch vote at 1700 GMT on Wednesday.On Tuesday Mr Salmond's spokesman said the first minister would resign and take the issue "to the people" if the budget fell at the crunch vote at 1700 GMT on Wednesday.
Despite Mr Salmond's comments, the minority government is still confident of gaining parliament's backing.Despite Mr Salmond's comments, the minority government is still confident of gaining parliament's backing.