Summary

  • MSPs back the general principles of the Budget Bill, with 69 backing it and 56 voting against.

  • The debate followed the news the Greens have struck a deal with Derek Mackay

  • The say they have secured a "substantial package" of funding, including cash for councils, low-carbon capital investment and a contribution towards a "fairer pay" for the public sector

  • The Greens had previously indicated they could only support the budget if an additional £157m was given to councils

  • Talks had also been held with the Lib Dems, who were seeking more support for education and health along with backing for ferry services in the northern isles

  • The Conservatives and Labour have put down amendments for the stage one debate of the Budget Bill

  1. And we're off.........published at 14:54 Greenwich Mean Time 31 January 2018

    ChamberImage source, bbc

    Finance Secretary Derek Mackay says he is delighted to lead the debate on the principles of the Budget Bill.

    Mr Mackay says this is a parliament of minorities and consensus must be reached.

    He says the budget provides the resources necessary to deliver a "bold and ambitious" vision.

  2. It's the Budget Bill debate......a little later than billed!published at 14:52 Greenwich Mean Time 31 January 2018

    StuffImage source, Pa/Getty images
  3. Budget next: After the Scottish government secures budget deal with Greenspublished at 14:51 Greenwich Mean Time 31 January 2018

    Derek Mackay and Patrick HarvieImage source, PA

    The Scottish government has secured a deal with the Greens to pass its budget proposals ahead of a Holyrood vote.

    Finance Secretary Derek Mackay had been in negotiations with opposition leaders to find backing for his plans, which include changes to the tax system.

    A spokesman for the Scottish Greens said they had secured "significant additional funds" as part of the deal.

    Mr Mackay will inform MSPs of the details from about 14:55 ahead of the stage one vote.

    The Greens said they had secured a "substantial package" of funding in exchange for their support, including cash for councils, low-carbon capital investment and a contribution towards a "fairer pay settlement for public sector workers".

  4. Background: SCVO report finds Scottish charities in 'survival mode'published at 14:49 Greenwich Mean Time 31 January 2018

    MoneyImage source, Thinkstock

    Last February we reported that Scottish charities hadgone into "survival mode" amid severe financial pressures, according to a new study..

    Analysis by the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO), external found there has been a sharp drop in confidence in the third sector.

    It called on the Scottish government and councils to help the sector by awarding fairer funding packages.

    The Scottish government wants a three-year funding cycle to give charities greater stability.

    Read more here,.

  5. Third sector stability raisedpublished at 14:48 Greenwich Mean Time 31 January 2018

    Labour MSP Neil Findlay asks the Scottish government, in light of the statement in its Programme for Government that the “third sector needs stability of funding and the opportunity for longer term planning and development”, how this is being rolled out across its departments and agencies.

  6. Don't fret, the budget debate is delayed by a few minutes......but starts shortly!!published at 14:48 Greenwich Mean Time 31 January 2018

    Not long now until the budget debate......Image source, bbc
    Image caption,

    Not long now until the budget debate......

    Due to an urgent question from Tory MSP Liam Kerr on firefighters, the start of the budget debate will now be around 2.55pm.

    Do not go away, budget fun ont he way!

  7. Background: Personal Independence payments: All 1.6 million claims to be reviewedpublished at 14:48 Greenwich Mean Time 31 January 2018

    Campaigners protesting Personal Independence Payments outside courts in LondonImage source, Alamy
    Image caption,

    Campaigners protesting Personal Independence Payments outside courts in London

    Every person receiving Personal Independence Payments (PIP) will have their claim reviewed, the Department for Work and Pensions has said.

    A total of 1.6 million of the main disability benefit claims will be reviewed, with around 220,000 people expected to receive more money.

    It comes after the DWP decided not to challenge a court ruling that said changes to PIP were unfair to people with mental health conditions.

    The review could cost £3.7bn by 2023.

    Read more here.

  8. Background: UIK Ministers back down in legal battle over disability benefitspublished at 14:47 Greenwich Mean Time 31 January 2018

    Wheelchair usersImage source, bbc
    Image caption,

    Wheelchair users

    Ministers have backed down in a row over paying higher disability benefits to 164,000 people by saying they will not contest a High Court decision.

    Work and Pensions Secretary Esther McVey said she would not appeal December's judgement over payments to people with mental health conditions.

    Ministers had sought to limit those suffering psychological distress from claiming higher rates of benefits.

    Campaigners said this was "crude and unfair" and welcomed the U-turn.

    The government introduced regulations last March stating that people who could not travel independently on the grounds of psychological distress, as opposed to other conditions, were not entitled to the enhanced mobility rate of Personal Independence Payment.

  9. Amendments on cash in lieu lodged on Social Security Billpublished at 14:47 Greenwich Mean Time 31 January 2018

    Social Security Minister Jeane Freeman confirms there has been ongoing engagement with stakeholders on this option.

    She says amendments to Social Security Bill have been lodged to clarify that claimants will have a choice of cash or cash in lieu.

    Social Security Minister Jeane Freeman
    Image caption,

    Social Security Minister Jeane Freeman

    Rhoda Grant asks about the benefits for both individuals with physical and mental disabilities.

    The minister welcomes the DWP's announcement the PIP claimants will be reviewed following concerns about the process being unfair to those with mental health conditions.

  10. Alternatives to cash instead of benefitspublished at 14:47 Greenwich Mean Time 31 January 2018

    Labour MSP Rhoda Grant asks the Scottish government which stakeholders it has had discussions with regarding providing alternatives to cash in lieu of disability benefits.

  11. Postpublished at 14:42 Greenwich Mean Time 31 January 2018

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  12. 91% of new homes are adaptable, says ministerpublished at 14:42 Greenwich Mean Time 31 January 2018

    Housing Minister Kevin Stewart
    Image caption,

    Housing Minister Kevin Stewart

    Housing Minister Kevin Stewart says 91% of new homes are adaptable and he makes a commitment to ensure this continues.

    Local authorities are expected to look at need in their areas, he says, though it is clear that some councils have done more than others on this area.

    He urges Edinburgh City Council and others to ensure the new houses being built are right for those who require them.

  13. Background: Affordable housing in Scotland opened up to over-60spublished at 14:40 Greenwich Mean Time 31 January 2018

    Supported housing for the elderly will be included in the shared equity schemesImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    Supported housing for the elderly will be included in the shared equity schemes

    Affordable housing in Scotland is to be made more accessible to the over-60s under a new Scottish government scheme.

    Housing Minister Kevin Stewart said older people would be offered a range of home ownership options for the first time.

    These include access to the Open Market Shared Equity Scheme and Help to Buy Scotland.

    Retirement or supported homes could also be included under shared equity schemes, the Scottish government said.

    Read more here.

  14. Older tenents with mobility issuespublished at 14:38 Greenwich Mean Time 31 January 2018

    SNP MSP Gordon Macdonald aks the government how it meets the housing demand of older tenants with mobility issues.

  15. Social housingpublished at 14:38 Greenwich Mean Time 31 January 2018

    Tory MSP Rachael Hamilton asks the Scottish government what recent discussions it has had regarding the provision of social housing.

  16. Labour MSP says root cause of youth homelessness is coming out as gaypublished at 14:37 Greenwich Mean Time 31 January 2018

    Labour MSP Kezia DugdaleImage source, bbc
    Image caption,

    Labour MSP Kezia Dugdale

    Labour MSP Kezia Dugdale asks what the group is doing to adress the root cause of youth homelessness in Edinburgh, according to the Rock Trust , externalin Edinburgh.

    That root cause is coming out as gay, with 40% on the streets due to that, says Ms Dugdale.

    Mr Stewart says he too has visited the Rock Trust in Edinburgh and the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Action Group will look seriously at the issue and talk to LGBT youth in Scotland.

  17. Background: Scotsman housing reportpublished at 14:31 Greenwich Mean Time 31 January 2018

    Last November the Scotsman reported, external: "The Scottish government is on course to miss its own targets for building affordable housing by thousands of homes, according to analysis of the latest figures.

    "Rates of home completions are far below what is needed to reach targets set just last year, the Scottish Labour Party said.

    "And it claimed the targets were already too low to deal with a housing crisis that has driven 21,000 people to ask charities for help dealing with homelessness or avoiding becoming homeless in the past year. "

    Brick layerImage source, PA

    "In 2016, Scottish ministers pledged £3 billion to build 50,000 affordable homes, 35,000 of which are destined for the social rented sector.

    "However, the number of affordable homes completed per quarter since the middle of last year has averaged at just 1,808, well below the 2,673 needed to reach the 50,000 target by 2021.

    "The gap in completions for social rent is even wider, with an increase in the completion rate of 159% needed to meet the target."

  18. 50,000 new homes over the course of the parliamentpublished at 14:31 Greenwich Mean Time 31 January 2018

    Housing Minister Kevin Stewart says the Scottish government is constantly considering new and innovative ways to build new homes.

    50,000 affordable homes will be delivered over the course of this parliament, he says.

    Housing Minister Kevin Stewart
    Image caption,

    Housing Minister Kevin Stewart

  19. Housing stock and future needspublished at 14:29 Greenwich Mean Time 31 January 2018

    Tory MSP Alexander Stewart asks the Scottish government what recent discussions it has had regarding the provision of new housing stock to meet future needs.

  20. Human Rights Act repeal is 'very real danger'published at 14:28 Greenwich Mean Time 31 January 2018

    Equalities Secretary Angela Constance
    Image caption,

    Equalities Secretary Angela Constance

    Equalities Secretary Angela Constance says the Scottish government works with public bodies to ensure human rights are promoted.

    Bill Kidd expresses concern about UK government plans to repeal the Human Rights Act.

    Ms Constance says it presents a "very real danger" to human rights, particularly for the most bulnerable in society.

    The Scottish government is committed to protecting human rights safeguards, she adds.