SNP in need of support for budget

SCOTTISH Finance Secretary Derek Mackay faces a week of tough talks with opposition parties to get his budget through Holyrood.

The SNP minority government needs the support of another party to push its budget bill to the next stage.

But Labour and the Conservatives have effectively ruled out a deal, meaning the SNP must do a deal with a smaller party.

Labour is calling for the Scottish Government to raise income tax by 1p to stop the £327 million cuts.

Conservative MSPs are demanding that the SNP reverse decisions they say makes Scotland the highesttaxed part of the UK.

The Lib Dems have put a £400m price tag on their support, which includes cash for mental health, education, the police and transport.

The Greens want a fairer income tax system, which includes increasing the top rate to 60p.

Scottish leader Kezia Dugdale said her party would table amendments in the coming days to the budget to use the powers of the Scottish Parliament to stop the cuts and invest in valued public services.

In a letter to Mr Mackay, she said: “Failure to support our proposals will leave us with no alternative but to vote against the SNP’s budget. Labour will not support any budget that cuts £327m from local communities.”