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| Version 9 | Version 10 |
|---|---|
| MSPs agree to pass Scots budget | MSPs agree to pass Scots budget |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| The Scottish Government's budget has been passed by parliament, after ministers pulled several last-minute rabbits out of the hat. | The Scottish Government's budget has been passed by parliament, after ministers pulled several last-minute rabbits out of the hat. |
| The SNP's £30bn plans were backed by the Tories, after the minority administration agreed to boost business rate cuts and cash for bus operators. | The SNP's £30bn plans were backed by the Tories, after the minority administration agreed to boost business rate cuts and cash for bus operators. |
| Labour and the Lib Dems criticised a threat by First Minister Alex Salmond to quit if the budget failed. | Labour and the Lib Dems criticised a threat by First Minister Alex Salmond to quit if the budget failed. |
| The Greens said the budget was not green enough, and abstained. | |
| Ministers also agreed to boost police recruitment and give more cash to fight climate change. | |
| 'Stronger nation' | |
| Finance Secretary John Swinney said his government had worked hard to achieve consensus, telling parliament: "This is a budget for all of Scotland, proposed by a government that provides leadership for all of Scotland, and considered by a parliament that must speak for all of Scotland. | |
| "This budget will create a stronger, more confident and prosperous nation - and that is what the people of Scotland deserve." | |
| The spending plans - which will also offer cash to local authorities to freeze council tax - will now see a total of 1,000 new police officers recruited by March 2011 - an increase of 500 - and an extra £4.3m will be pumped into the Climate Challenge Fund. | |
| Mr Swinney also announced that, from April next year, business rates would be abolished for up to 120,000 small businesses and a further 30,000 would see rate cuts of between 25% and 50%. | |
| Funding to protect bus fares and services, he said, will also receive an extra £4m in 2008-09. |