Ian Swanson: Budget battle postponed

IT looks as if the SNP's budget will pass its first hurdle fairly comfortably today after Labour signalled it was ready to vote in favour of it in the Stage One vote this afternoon.
Labour sources insist the party is only doing so to allow the budget process to continue - and they warn they are still prepared to vote against the SNP's package in the final vote on January 28 if they feel it is not worthy of support.
Labour says it wants to see more included in the budget to help boost jobs and training and help get the economy through the economic downturn.
But the SNP argues the budget, with its £230m of accelerated capital spending, has been drafted specifically to respond to the current problems and boost recovery.
The Liberal Democrats are almost certain to vote against the budget this afternoon, the Tories are widely expected to support it and the Greens are likely to back it or abstain. But Labour's support means Finance Secretary John Swinney can relax - at least for today.