THE SNP Scottish government will have the backing of the Greens and Liberal Democrats in next week’s crunch Budget vote, the parties confirmed today.

Deals to deliver the requisite votes have been struck after weeks of negotiations in which they have managed to wrest £16.7 million in additional spending from SNP Finance Secretary Shona Robison’s £63.4-billion Budget.

The windfall will be used to deliver on Green demands to extend free school meals in the first three years of secondary school to pupils from families eligible for the Scottish Child Payment, and pilot a £2 regional cap on bus fares, as well as Lib Dem calls for more investment in drugs services and hospices.