VOTING against the SNP Scottish government’s Budget will be an “albatross” around Labour’s neck and “I’ll be the one putting it there,” John Swinney warned yesterday.

The First Minister made the remarks as talks continue between Holyrood parties to find a deal that can allow the Budget to pass in the new year.

In recent years, Mr Swinney’s party has been able to rely on the support of the Greens, but after a difficult divorce from their coalition in April, the SNP is once again actively courting Tory, Labour and Lib Dem groups to find the three votes needed to get their Budget over the finishing line.