David Maddox: So much for the spirit of consensus

This afternoon Labour dramatically made an offer to support the budget by reducing their demands for new apprentices from 23,400 over three years to to 15,600 over two. Finance Secretary John Swinney (pictured) had offered them 7,800 over one year.

The SNP parliamentary (as opposed to governmental) response was to issue a press release with the screaming headline: "LABOUR CAVE UNDER BUDGET PRESSURE."

This may mean they are going to accept or could mean that they are telling Labour to get knotted. Labour say their talks with Mr Swinney were constructive.

However, they should be grateful that Labour have apparently conceded the 2011 election already. In their release Labour said that they would support the budget with the extra apprenticeships "with an indication from the SNP government to roll on the programme in 2011-12" which is after the election.

Meanwhile Lib Dem leader Tavish Scott was in with First Minister Alex Salmond for more than two hours with apparently a detailed list of proposals, although they are not letting on what they are. However, surely it must be better than the rumours they simply want the scottish Government to formally recognise the Calman Commission and send in a paper on borrowing powers.

The Greens too have been back, but again there is no word of an agreement over that extra £11 million. The word is that Mr Swinney simply cannot find it.

Needless to say, this is set to run into next week and possibly beyond. Read more about it in tomorrow's Scotsman.