SNP MSPs are confident an election will be avoided and a deal made with another party so ministers can secure a majority in Holyrood and pass the Scottish Government’s budget.
They were responding to a warning from Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie who yesterday claimed the county may have to go to the polls again if no compromise is reached.
The Scottish Government’s 2017/18 budget proposals come before Holyrood for a vote on Thursday of next week. As a minority administration, the support of another party is needed to pass them. Labour and the Tories have ruled out their support and finance secretary Derek Mackay is holding behind-the-scenes talks with the Greens and the Lib Dems to resolve the impasse.
“I really can’t see us getting into a situation when an election has to be called. There clearly needs to be a deal and I’m sure there will be one, though it may take a few more days,” one SNP MSP told The National.
The budget was discussed at First Minister’s Questions yesterday when Nicola Sturgeon told MSPs she would consider “reasonable proposals” put forward.
Sturgeon also accused Ruth Davidson of prioritising tax cuts for top earners ahead of money to invest in the NHS after the Scottish Tory leader criticised the Scottish Government for not following the UK Government on raising the higher rate threshold at which people start to pay income tax at 40p. The Conservatives say this will leave Scotland as the highest-taxed part of the UK. Sturgeon said: “We’re in a budget process right now where we are committed to record investment in our National Health Service.
“Ruth Davidson instead wants us to cut tax for the top 10 per cent of income earners in Scotland.
“We are choosing investment in our National Health Service. Ruth Davidson thinks we should choose tax cuts for the wealthiest.
“She’s entitled to prioritise tax cuts for the wealthiest but she then can’t come to this chamber and ask for even more money for the health service.
“It’s time for Ruth Davidson to choose, because I choose investment in the health service.”
Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale yesterday challenged the First Minister on the funding for public services contained in the Budget plans which she says will enforce cuts of £327 million.
After Holyrood failed to endorse a Scottish Government amendment motion on the budget on Wednesday, Dugdale told her: “This is a First Minister who says that closing the attainment gap is her top priority, but isn’t it the case that the gap between the richest and the rest is widening on her watch?”
But the First Minister disputed her claim of funding cuts, saying: “The budget we have put forward is putting more than £200 million into local services. This is a strong budget that prioritises fair tax and prioritises boosting our economy.”
In terms of reaching a deal, the Lib Dems want a penny increase on income tax to pay for a £400m package including extra funding for schools, colleges, mental health services, Police Scotland and ferries to the Northern Isles.
The Greens want changes to the tax system to “reduce inequality and generate additional funds for public services” including a hike to income tax of 60p for the highest earners.
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