MSPs back the general principles of the budget

Summary

The Europe Committee takes evidence on Brexit implications for Scotland
Nicola Sturgeon is quizzed by opposition MSPs during first minister's questions
Ministerial statement: Scotland's ferry services
MSPs back the general principles of the Budget Bill.

Live Reporting

Craig Hutchison, Colin Bell and Patrick Cowling

Government should increase number of high earners instead of taxing them - Tory MSPpublished at 16:32 Greenwich Mean Time 2 February 2017
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Tory MSP Adam Tomkins
Tory MSP Adam Tomkins says Scotland needed a budget for growth but what it is getting is a budget that makes it the highest taxed part of the UK - "this won't stimulate growth it will stymy it".
He tells MSPs that the top 1% of earners in the UK as a whole pay 28% of the income tax collected in the country. "Those with the broadest shoulders should carry the greatest burden - and I fully agree" he says.
"In a rational and fair Scotland" we would not be seeking to penalise these tax payers but to "double, triple, quadruple their number" Mr Tomkins says.
Postpublished at 16:30 Greenwich Mean Time 2 February 2017
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Postpublished at 16:30 Greenwich Mean Time 2 February 2017
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Just if you were wonderingpublished at 16:29 Greenwich Mean Time 2 February 2017
The Laffer Curve is a graph which purports to show that lower tax rates for the rich will lead to higher tax revenues.
It's Groundhog Day, but it was Ferris Bueller's Day Off that Murdo Fraser plumped for...published at 16:27 Greenwich Mean Time 2 February 2017
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Happy Groundhog Day
SNP MSP says Patrick Harvie is the 'man of the moment'published at 16:26 Greenwich Mean Time 2 February 2017
SNP MSP Kenny Gibson doesn't pull his punches, beginning his speech by saying Labour didn't believe in progressive taxation when Gordon Brown and Tony Blair were in power.
He then accuses the three opposition parties of sour grapes, before praising Scottish Green Party Co-Convener Patrick Harvie as being "the man of the moment".
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Kenneth Gibson pays tribute to Patrick Harvie
There is a mixture of applause and groans from the chamber and Mr Harvie rolls his eyes at the praise.
Mr Gibson tells MSPs that whatever the SNP propose Labour oppose - quoting his SNP colleague Mike Russell in saying "if the SNP invented the light bulb Labour would denounce it as a dangerous anti-candle device".
Postpublished at 16:24 Greenwich Mean Time 2 February 2017
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Postpublished at 16:24 Greenwich Mean Time 2 February 2017
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Mr Johnson quotes Joe Biden on valuespublished at 16:21 Greenwich Mean Time 2 February 2017
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Image caption,
Former US Vice President Joe Biden
Quote Message
“Don't tell me what you value, show me your budget, and I'll tell you what you value.”
Joe Biden, Former US Vice President
'Rhetoric must be matched with resource'published at 16:18 Greenwich Mean Time 2 February 2017
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Labour MSP Daniel Johnson
Labour's Daniel Johnson praises the SNP for saying that education is a top priority for them, but warns that "rhetoric must be matched with resource".
He says that "words and promises are not backed by investment and intent and objectives have no new money" in this budget.
Mr Johnson also accuses the government of refusing to consider the new powers the parliament now has to deal with education.
He also criticises the Green Party for making a deal with the Scottish government.
'I firmly believe this is a budget worth supporting'published at 16:13 Greenwich Mean Time 2 February 2017
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SNP MSP Maree Todd says: "I firmly believe this is a budget worth supporting."
She says this delivers record investment for health, substantially more than any other party offered in their manifestos.
The SNP MSP says she cannot believe the other parties in the chamber do not support the budget.
She say it is time to deliver on the budget the people of Scotland voted for.
Tory MSP accuses the SNP and Greens of an 'obsession with independence'published at 16:10 Greenwich Mean Time 2 February 2017
Image caption,
Tory MSP Dean Lockhart
Tory MSP Dean Lockhart says that the people of Scotland needed a budget for jobs, for increased pay and to grow the economy.
Instead, he says, the budget increases the tax burden on hard working families, slashes investment in the economy and makes Scotland the most taxed part of the UK.
Mr Lockhart says that Scotland needs a budget that stimulates economic growth as he claims its economy grows at a lower rate to the rest of the UK.
He also accuses the SNP and Greens of negatively effecting the economy due to their single minded obsession with independence.
Postpublished at 16:08 Greenwich Mean Time 2 February 2017
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Postpublished at 16:02 Greenwich Mean Time 2 February 2017
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SNP MSP accuses Labour of shouting from the sidelinespublished at 16:02 Greenwich Mean Time 2 February 2017
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The SNP's Ivan McKee says that MSPs have a "heavy responsibility" to pass a good budget that balances between stimulating growth and providing quality public services.
Labour MSP Anas Sarwar intervenes to ask Mr McKee why he supports a cut of £324 million to Glasgow city council, asking "who is he going to stand up for - Glasgow or the SNP?
Mr McKee responds by saying that the people for Scotland will reward those who rise to the occasion and punish those who do not and who shout from the sidelines.
He also ciriticises the Conservatives for only having "skin deep" dedication to devolution.
Postpublished at 15:59 Greenwich Mean Time 2 February 2017
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Postpublished at 15:58 Greenwich Mean Time 2 February 2017
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'Never before have we seen such contempt for local government'published at 15:56 Greenwich Mean Time 2 February 2017
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Labour MSP Colin Smyth and Scottish Greens co-coordinator Patick Harvie
Labour MSP Colin Smyth says all care workers should receive the living wage.
Mr Smyth says millions of pounds will have to be cut to social care as a result of this draft budget.
He says never before have we seen such contempt for local government.
Mr Smyth says: "Communities are now facing up to the prospect of losing local services and losing local jobs."
Scottish Greens co-coordinator says the Green approach has got his local council £5m more than they would have got.
Mr Smyth says his council still faces a £6m cut and he asks where it will come from.
Postpublished at 15:46 Greenwich Mean Time 2 February 2017
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Call all for proposals to top-up child benefit payments by £5published at 15:46 Greenwich Mean Time 2 February 2017
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A group of organisations including the Children's Commissioner and the Church of Scotland have come together to call for proposals to top-up child benefit payments by £5 to be included in the budget bill.
The group has circulated a briefing around all MSPs, saying the move could reduce child poverty by 14% and lift 30,000 children out of poverty.
Scottish councils have also lobbied all MSPs to improve the settlement for local government.