Budgeting for votes
More re the Budget. . Details this afternoon but herewith a bit of info.
The Lib Dems will vote FOR the budget, switching from their opposition last Wednesday. Together with Tory support, that in itself will be enough to get the budget through tomorrow.
The deal? Nothing on immediate spending plans. Lib Dems felt it would be inappropriate to produce a shopping list at this stage - given that they had not entered negotiations at an earlier point because they were pursuing tax cuts.
Instead, SNP ministers will agree to table a letter to the urging that borrowing powers be conceded to Holyrood.
Further, it has been agreed that there will be a widespread review of spending by the Scottish Government. It is hoped that all parties - and external experts - will participate in this.
Neither, I think, will prove particularly onerous for the SNP given that they, self-evidently, back greater financial clout for Holyrood and would have to review expenditure anyway.
However, we should perhaps not be too tough on the LibDems. I believe they held a finger up to the wind - and detected public disquiet with political machinations at a time of economic crisis.
Releasing cash
The spending review is intriguing. It will be a single review - but with multiple objectives.
For ministers, it is a chance to prepare for an expected reduction of £500m in Scottish spending as a consequence of UK efficiency savings due to kick in from 2010-11.
For the Libdems, it is a chance to pursue savings which might then release cash for the tax cuts to which they remain committed.
Talks are still under way with the Greens. Which leaves Labour. Alex Salmond met Iain Gray this morning.
No deal yet. Labour wants more than 15,000 extra apprentices over two years - in itself a scaled down version of its original three year demand.
I understand ministers will offer 7,000 plus over a single year - with a pledge to look seriously at the second year.
That second year, however, would presumably come within the scope of the spending review agreed with the Lib Dems.
And timing? Think it might all now go through tomorrow.
I'm 
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