Doing the deal
UPDATE 1700: The budget duly carried by 79 votes to 48, with no abstentions.
The wind-up speeches continued the argument between the SNP and Labour.
For Labour, David Whitton argued that the budget fell short of what was required to boost the economy and jobs.
Closing the debate, John Swinney accused Labour of "hypocrisy", arguing that he had conceded - or exceeded - each of the requests made directly to him by Labour in negotiations.
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UPDATE AT 1530: And so the budget looks secure.
John Swinney has announced £15m extra funding for college bursaries as demanded by the LibDems, together with an extra £8m for 1200 more college places.
For the Tories, enhanced funding for urban regeneration and £16m for housing investment, both designed to bolster private sector growth.
As a consequence, both the LibDems and Tories will vote "yes" tonight.
Given that, the sharpest exchanges were between the SNP and Labour.
Mr Swinney announced that the number of modern apprentices will rise to 25,000 in 2011-12.
This has been a key issue for Labour.
John Swinney challenged Labour's Andy Kerr to say which announcement in the revised budget he opposed.
Mr Kerr replied that the SNP offer only added up to "half-measures" while Labour would provide the full programme of support.
Speaking more loudly to drown out derision from rival parties, Mr Kerr argued that the budget still hit those areas critical for economic growth such as enterprise and higher education.
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UPDATE AT 1420: Labour has just confirmed that the party's MSPs will vote against the budget at decision time this evening.
Their argument is that the heaviest blows from cuts in the budget will fall upon areas required to boost economic growth such as enterprise.
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UPDATE AT 1300: As I write, Labour MSPs are just beginning a group meeting to consider the offer from John Swinney to meet some of their demands.
Signs are that they will vote to reject that offer as insufficient - and consequently to vote "no" at decision time in Holyrood this evening.
Their argument is that they have been offered relatively minor concessions with regard to youth apprenticeships - when what they wanted was substantial restructuring.
Politically, of course, Labour's stance is designed to underpin the narrative which they will pursue at the May elections: to the effect that the SNP has failed and must be replaced.
In short, it was always likely that Labour would end up voting no.
John Swinney can live without their votes - provided he keeps the Tories and LibDems on board.
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Derek Brownlee, of the Conservatives, has spent a fair portion of this morning in talks with Finance Secretary John Swinney.
The outcome should be a deal allowing the Tories to vote for the Scottish government's budget.
The Liberal Democrats moved first, signalling their contentment with an proposed concession to introduce bursaries for struggling young college students.
For obvious reasons not unconnected with events at Westminster, the Scottish LibDems are rather keen to project an image of themselves supporting further and higher education.
The LibDem group meets at lunchtime.
As do Labour MSPs who are considering an offer from Mr Swinney to enhance youth apprenticeships.
More anon. Including, one presumes, information from the Scottish government as to where the necessary further savings to fund these concessions will be found.
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