MSPs have overwhelmingly approved the Scottish government's final budget before September's independence referendum. The legislation secured the support of Labour, the Lib Dems and the Greens. However, the Conservatives opposed the budget, saying it did not do enough to boost the economy. The budget includes measures to mitigate the effects of the UK government's changes to housing benefit. Scottish government Finance Secretary John Swinney called the policy "iniquitous and damaging". He said the would boost growth and provide investment in infrastructure, schools and affordable housing. The bill's passage was not in doubt as the SNP has a majority in the...
↧