Door still open in budget talks despite Labour abstentions, says Swinney

John Swinney was speaking during a debate in Holyrood (Jeff Mitchell/PA) - (PA Wire)

John Swinney’s door remains open for talks on his Government’s budget despite Labour’s plans to abstain in the final vote, the First Minister has said.

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar announced on Tuesday that his party would abstain in the final vote on the tax and spending plans expected in late February, effectively guaranteeing it would pass.