Forbes to begin Budget negotiations as opposition parties demand changes

TENSE negotiations over the

£40 billion Scottish Budget are due to begin this week.

The publication of the draft tax and spending plans was overshadowed last week after it emerged the former finance secretary had bombarded a 16-year-old boy with inappropriate messages.

Public Finance Minister Kate Forbes was forced to step in and deliver the plans after less than a day’s notice when Mr Mackay resigned in disgrace.

She said there would no change in the five income tax rates north of the Border, but announced a freeze on the higher and additional rate thresholds for a second consecutive year, as well as committing extra money to health and education.

Ms Forbes will now lead negotiations over the Budget, with just weeks to secure a deal due to the compressed timetable caused by the General Election in December.

The Greens have helped the minority SNP administration pass its last three Budgets.

But Greens’ co-leader Patrick Harvie told the BBC’S Politics Scotland: “The Scottish Government hasn’t built political consensus with anybody prior to introducing this Budget, and it really should have done given the really tight timescale.”

Scottish Liberal Democrats’ leader Willie Rennie is due to meet Ms Forbes tomorrow afternoon.

He said his party was “keen to work with the SNP Government” if an agreement can be struck.

But he raised concerns over the funding of local government and Police Scotland, as well as around the climate emergency and mental health.

Also speaking to the BBC’S Politics Scotland, Mr Rennie said: “One of the best ways of clearing the path is just to take independence out of the Budget altogether.

“We know the SNP is in turmoil over this issue. We need less turmoil.”

He added: “I’m not asking them to change their view on independence.

“What I’m asking them to do is to concede there shouldn’t be an independence referendum this financial year.”

He called on the SNP to remove the “roadblock” of independence, adding: “If it were to guarantee there’s no spending on independence in the next year, that’s a constructive way ahead.”

Scottish Conservative MSP Liam Kerr said his party would not do a deal on the Budget based on the current plans.

He said the SNP’S proposals would increase the tax burden and fail to grow the economy, and also fail to properly invest in public services and the police.

Scottish Labour MSP Rhoda Grant also ruled out striking a deal based on the plans as they stand.

She said her party wanted free bus travel for young people, as well as a “fair settlement for local government”.