The SNP survived its biggest hurdle in government last night when its budget proposals received the narrow backing of MSPs by just two votes.

The SNP survived its biggest hurdle in government last night when its budget proposals received the narrow backing of MSPs by just two votes.

The anticipated knife-edge decision had led the presiding officer, Alex Ferguson, to tell party leaders earlier that in the event of a tie his casting vote would be in favour of the government, as that option would give MSPs further opportunity for scrutiny.

Labour voted against the budget presented by Finance Secretary John Swinney and were backed by the Liberal Democrats, who claimed they voted against because of lack of clarity.

But Conservatives voted in favour on the basis of a pledge to look again at police numbers and business rates, while the Greens were persuaded to abstain, resulting in a 64-62 victory for the government.

The SNP brought in Angela Constance, the Livingston MSP who has been on maternity leave, and West of Scotland list MSP Aileen Campbell who scalded her hand on soup yesterday and had to go to casualty.

Mr Swinney conceded to the Greens a promise of a "carbon assessment tool" to be applied across all government spending, setting out the damage costs of climate change. He allowed Green MSP Patrick Harvie an SNP time slot during the debate.

Independent MSP Margo MacDonald, who voted with the government, got the prospect of provision being made in next year's budget for Edinburgh to receive extra cash to meet costs incurred by its capital status.

The plans go back to committee for further scrutiny before returning to the chamber early next month for the crucial final vote.

Mr Swinney told MSPs: "This is a co-ordinated programme to tackle the inequalities in Scottish society and to build up our communities, and to ensure that all Scots live safe from crime, disorder and danger."

Labour proposed a list of additions to the budget, including 15,000 more modern apprenticeships.

Labour finance spokesman Iain Gray said: "By all means find a better way of funding these things but do not tell us in a budget of £30bn you cannot find the money to support these changes."

Tories supported the SNP but warned that they have yet to make up their minds how they will vote in the final debate next month.

LibDem's Tavish Scott complained the budget was "opaque, designed for ministerial spin and diktat".

Mr Swinney said: "I have promised that the government will look at the points made by the Finance Committee."

But he dampened expectations on the business rates issue, telling MSPs: "There is little I can do to increase the size of the financial cake."

The Conservatives' finance spokes-man Derek Brownlee said: "Common sense has prevailed and the minority government has been given the opportunity to come back to Parliament with proposals on business rate cuts and police numbers."

Mr Gray said: "They are a party that cares very little for the vulnerable and appear to care even less about Scotland's future as a highly-skilled economy by their refusal to back modern apprenticeships."