SNP avoids early election as it wins backing for budget at Holyrood

Scottish parliament supports minority government's tax and spending plans after intensive negotiations

The SNP minority government has passed its budget and avoided triggering an early election after securing a coalition of support across the constitutional divide at Holyrood

The tax and spending plans, which provide 21.7bn for health and social care, including 200m to reduce waiting times and tackle delayed discharge, passed the first parliamentary stage - marking a significant success for first minister, John Swinney, who promised a more consensual style of politics when he took office in May 2024.