THE Scottish budget is to be published on December 12, Derek Mackay has confirmed.
The Finance Secretary said the draft spending plan for 2019-20 would be presented to Holyrood six weeks after the UK budget was unveiled at Westminster.
The draft budget starts the annual round of political horse-trading, as the minority SNP administration seeks support to pass the Budget Bill in February.
In the past two years, the Scottish Greens have backed the budget, but have warned they will not even enter talks unless there are significant reforms to local taxation.
The ultimatum has led to speculation that Nicola Sturgeon’s recent moves towards a tourist tax are intended to brings the Greens to the table in the New Year.
Chancellor Philip Hammond recently announced the UK budget will be on October 29.
Mr Mackay said: “In normal circumstances, the Scottish Government is provided with 10 weeks’ notice from the UK Government of its budget date, however the announcement by the Chancellor on 26 September provides less than five weeks’ notice .
“The Scottish Budget date of 12 December has been agreed with the Scottish Parliament’s Finance & Constitution committee to allow due consideration of the necessary ten week Scottish Fiscal Commission lead times and the need for Parliament Subject Committees to complete their pre-budget scrutiny.
"I look forward to working with the Finance Committee and the Parliament to secure a budget that will work for Scotland.”
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