FMQs: Labour accused of doing ‘cheapest budget deal’ of devolution

Labour has been accused of doing the “cheapest budget deal” of devolution by Scottish Tory leader Russell Findlay.

Scottish Labour’s Anas Sarwar confirmed earlier this week that his party would abstain on the Budget Bill vote next month.

This would ensure the SNP has enough votes to pass it without requiring the support of another opposition party.

But First Minister John Swinney has insisted his “door remains open” to all opposition MSPs as he wishes to secure broad support.

Findlay, speaking at the first FMQs of 2025, said the FM must be “absolutely delighted” that Labour had “folded”. He asked: “What sweeteners did he have to give to Labour in exchange or did Anas Sarwar just hand him a blank cheque?”

The Scottish Tory leader went on to press the first minister to rule out any changes to taxes in the budget, saying his government “won’t have to strike any damaging deals with the Greens”.

In recent years, the SNP has sought the support of Green MSPs – both under the Bute House Agreement and before it – to pass the budget. Changes to income tax rates and bands were major elements of these budgets.

Swinney said: “The government’s tax proposals will not change from what’s in the budget, and there will be no further tax changes from this government in advance of the 2026 election.”

Regarding ongoing discussions with the opposition about a deal this year, he said he wanted “as much agreement as I possibly can construct in this parliament supporting the budget measures”.

As a minority administration, the SNP is outnumbered in parliament by the opposition and therefore requires either the support or abstention of another party.

Sarwar claimed on Tuesday that the governing party already “had the numbers” to pass a budget and his MSPs would therefore not vote against it.

He also said Labour MSPs could still support the budget if ministers move to mitigate the two-child benefit cap from this year.

Finance secretary Shona Robison previously pledged to mitigate the cap some time in 2026.

Swinney today urged Sarwar to “get off the fence” and back the budget.