A last-minute deal with the Lib Dems appears to have saved the Scottish Government’s Budget.
There were clear signs a concession on college bursaries by finance secretary John Swinney had been enough to secure the crucial support ahead of a vote this afternoon.
The minority SNP government, which needs opposition votes to pass the £33 billion spending plans, had faced claims the Budget did not do enough to stimulate the economy.
However, Mr Swinney has insisted it will protect jobs, front-line services and the economic recovery despite the need to find £1.3 billion in savings due to cuts imposed by Westminster.
The North Tayside MSP sent letters to Labour, the Lib Dems and Conservatives outlining concessions the government was willing to make to ensure the Budget the last before the Holyrood election in May passes.
During negotiations, the Lib Dems who have 16 MSPs pressed the SNP to provide extra places for young people looking to learn new skills and restore funding for college bursaries.
On Tuesday night it appeared they had won sufficient concessions to give their support.
Finance spokesman Jeremy Purvis said, “Liberal Democrats were clear that the budget needed to be stronger for young people in colleges so that they could gain skills, which will support economic recovery. It looks as if the government has accepted our case.
“We have sought clarification on some details of their concessions and these will be considered in advance of the debate tomorrow afternoon.”BursariesNUS Scotland president Liam Burns also welcomed “reports” the government was set to reverse the cut to bursaries.
“If these reports are true, Scottish politicians should be commended for listening to the tens of thousands of emails they have received from students urging them to restore the bursary funding,” he said.
However, the government insisted that no official agreement had been reached. A spokesman said Mr Swinney updated ministers at a meeting on Tuesday night.
“Opposition parties have responded and discussions with the three main opposition parties are continuing in a constructive fashion,” he said. “It is clear that all the main political groupings in parliament are constructively engaging in the on-going process of Budget discussions.
“There is no agreement as yet, but there is a process of discussion which continues, whereby we are moving to build a parliamentary majority.”
It appeared Labour had not been convinced to support the Budget.
“We are looking at John Swinney’s letter closely, but have made clear all along his budget falls short of what Scotland needs now,” said a spokesman.
They had demanded the government commit to a future jobs fund to tackle youth unemployment a key Labour Holyrood election pledge.
The Conservatives said they expected the discussion to continue into this morning. They have demanded a greater role for the private sector in delivering public services.
The two Green MSPs, who voted against the budget at an earlier stage, have set out £400m of revenue and spending changes.
Green co-leader Patrick Harvie said, “Scotland needs a government ready to act, not one that’s ready to do Tory ministers’ dirty work for them.”