Scottish Budget set to pass as Labour says it will not oppose it

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar confirmed his party will not oppose the Scottish government's £68bn Budget, which includes income tax threshold changes and is due for a final Holyrood vote on 25 February.

The Scottish government's Budget appears likely to pass after Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said his party would not vote against it. Sarwar said the tax and spending plans would not "change outcomes for people in Scotland" but that Labour MSPs would not stand in the way of the Budget. Finance Secretary Shona Robison has proposed a £68bn package that includes changes to income tax thresholds. The final vote in the Scottish Parliament is scheduled for 25 February, about three months before the Holyrood election. Key points: - Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar announced his party will not oppose the Budget. - Sarwar said the plans would not change outcomes for people in Scotland but confirmed Labour MSPs would not block the measure. - The Budget proposals total £68bn and include changes to income tax thresholds. - The Scottish Parliament is due to hold a final vote on the Budget on 25 February. - The vote comes roughly three months before the next Holyrood election. Summary: Labour's decision removes a parliamentary opposition that could have blocked the measure, which increases the likelihood the Budget will pass. The next formal step is the final Holyrood vote on 25 February. Anas Sarwar said only a change in government could deliver different outcomes, and the timing places the decision close to the upcoming election.