THE Scottish Budget passed its final vote at Holyrood yesterday, after a fourth straight deal between the Government and the Greens.
The tax and spending plans were approved by 63 votes to 55.
During the debate, Finance Secretary Kate Forbes praised other parties for the constructive nature of negotiations on the Budget.
READ MORE: Scottish Budget passed as Scottish Greens back spending plans
But she was attacked by Tory finance spokesman Donald Cameron, who claimed the extra £173 million – set to be spent on councils, policing, climate change and assessing the viability of free bus travel for under-19s – made available as part of the deal with the Greens showed a lack of transparency.
READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon praises Kate Forbes for 'strong' Scottish Budget
Cameron was challenged by SNP MSP John Mason, who said the Finance Secretary gave a “clear explanation” of where the additional funding would come from.
Earlier, Forbes said: “I’d like to thank all subject committees and political parties for their deliberations on the Budget. I fully appreciate the challenge that was faced in assuring proper scrutiny within a shortened Budget process meant that everybody had to participate slightly differently and I recognise the value that they have added to the process.”
READ MORE: Scottish Greens back Kate Forbes in £158m budget deal
Forbes was thrust into presenting the plans after predecessor Derek Mackay resigned when stories emerged that he had sent 270 unsolicited messages to a 16-year-old boy. He has been suspended from the party pending an investigation.
Green MSP Mark Ruskell said Forbes’s “spirit of compromise” had “rescued negotiations with the Greens this year”.
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