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25 January 2011
Last updated at 20:06 ET
The Scottish government's budget plans are expected to pass their first parliamentary vote, despite opposition claims they do not support the economy.
Finance Secretary John Swinney said his £33bn proposals for the year promoted growth and safeguarded frontline jobs.
But Labour and the Lib Dems said the budget, being reduced by £1bn as a result of Treasury cuts, failed to promote economic recovery.
Meanwhile, SNP plans for a large retailers tax levy are set for defeat.
The minority Scottish government, which needs opposition votes pass its Budget Bill, has been in discussions with other parties to win their support.
But the measure to impose additional business rates on large retailers, dubbed the "Tesco tax", is expected to be voted down by MSPs on Holyrood's local government committee.
Ministers said the move would affect about 0.1% of businesses and raise a vital, extra £30m of funding - but rival parties said the plan would make Scotland less competitive.
With the Scottish elections taking place in May, Mr Swinney said the public expected rival politicians to work together to deliver a budget in tough times.
"We are willing to consider alternative proposals, but, where other parties propose to increase spending, they must they also identify where the money will come from," said the finance secretary.
"Removing the large retail business supplement would simply constrain my flexibility to meet other parties' aspirations and present a balanced budget to parliament."
The Tories said all MSPs must work to make the budget "better".
Labour said more action was needed to provide jobs and other opportunities for young people, while the Greens called for a strong defence of public services.
The party's finance spokesman, Andy Kerr, said he was continuing talks with the government but said Labour would not support it at the final vote in its current form, adding: "It simply doesn't do enough to help the economy or provide young people with work and opportunities."
The Liberal Democrats said ministers must "get a grip" on high public sector salaries, saying the wage bill for those earning more £100,000 increased from £281m to £334m in the past year.
The party also called for more support for colleges.
The Budget Bill still faces two further stages of scrutiny - including a final vote - before gaining final approval.
The Scottish government's budget will see cuts to spending and a public sector pay freeze for government staff, government agency workers and those employed by quangos earning £21,000 a year or more.
Mr Swinney has also set a 3% "efficiency savings" target and has provided a "framework" for pay talks on pay with NHS staff, teachers, police and firefighters.
At the same time, the finance secretary has offered to limit cuts in local authority funding from 6.4% to 2.6% if councils deliver SNP priorities such as continuing the council tax freeze for a fourth year and maintaining police officer numbers - which have been boosted by 1,000 since the SNP came into power in 2007.
NHS spending would be protected, while the abolition of prescription charges will go ahead in 2011, and existing eligibility for free bus travel for the over-65s maintained.
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Finance Secretary John Swinney said his £33bn proposals for the year promoted growth and safeguarded frontline jobs.
But Labour and the Lib Dems said the budget, being reduced by £1bn as a result of Treasury cuts, failed to promote economic recovery.
Meanwhile, SNP plans for a large retailers tax levy are set for defeat.
The minority Scottish government, which needs opposition votes pass its Budget Bill, has been in discussions with other parties to win their support.
But the measure to impose additional business rates on large retailers, dubbed the "Tesco tax", is expected to be voted down by MSPs on Holyrood's local government committee.
Ministers said the move would affect about 0.1% of businesses and raise a vital, extra £30m of funding - but rival parties said the plan would make Scotland less competitive.
With the Scottish elections taking place in May, Mr Swinney said the public expected rival politicians to work together to deliver a budget in tough times.
"We are willing to consider alternative proposals, but, where other parties propose to increase spending, they must they also identify where the money will come from," said the finance secretary.
"Removing the large retail business supplement would simply constrain my flexibility to meet other parties' aspirations and present a balanced budget to parliament."
The Tories said all MSPs must work to make the budget "better".
Labour said more action was needed to provide jobs and other opportunities for young people, while the Greens called for a strong defence of public services.
The party's finance spokesman, Andy Kerr, said he was continuing talks with the government but said Labour would not support it at the final vote in its current form, adding: "It simply doesn't do enough to help the economy or provide young people with work and opportunities."
The Liberal Democrats said ministers must "get a grip" on high public sector salaries, saying the wage bill for those earning more £100,000 increased from £281m to £334m in the past year.
The party also called for more support for colleges.
The Budget Bill still faces two further stages of scrutiny - including a final vote - before gaining final approval.
The Scottish government's budget will see cuts to spending and a public sector pay freeze for government staff, government agency workers and those employed by quangos earning £21,000 a year or more.
Mr Swinney has also set a 3% "efficiency savings" target and has provided a "framework" for pay talks on pay with NHS staff, teachers, police and firefighters.
At the same time, the finance secretary has offered to limit cuts in local authority funding from 6.4% to 2.6% if councils deliver SNP priorities such as continuing the council tax freeze for a fourth year and maintaining police officer numbers - which have been boosted by 1,000 since the SNP came into power in 2007.
NHS spending would be protected, while the abolition of prescription charges will go ahead in 2011, and existing eligibility for free bus travel for the over-65s maintained.
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