Scottish Government confirms deal with Greens to ensure support for Budget

The Scottish Government has struck a deal with Green MSPs that will allow its Budget for 2019-20 to pass.

Finance Secretary Derek Mackay and Scottish Green co-convener Patrick Harvie announced an agreement had been reached minutes before a debate on the tax and spending plans for the coming year got under way at Holyrood.

As part of the deal, the Scottish Government will bring forward legislation that will allow local councils in Scotland to introduce a tourist tax on hotel stays.

Local government funding had been a key feature in the Greens’ demands, with intense negotiations taking place between the two parties over the last 48 hours.

Mr Mackay tweeted: “Pleased to have reached agreement with the Scottish Green Party to deliver a Scottish Budget that invests in health, education, our economy and supports local services.”

Mr Harvie said: “Finally, after months of hard work and Green pressure for local tax reform and protection of local services, we have reached a budget agreement.

The SNP minority Government in Edinburgh needs to win the support of at least one of the other parties for legislation to be approved.

This is the third year in a row Mr Mackay has made an agreement with the six Scottish Green MSPs to ensure support for his Budget proposals.

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