Seòmar agus comataidhean

The difference this year was to be that there would be no threats. There was to be no saying, “Take this or we’re going to punish you for it,” but that is exactly what you are doing now.

I think that this is the fourth time that I have asked you this question, Deputy First Minister.

The Federation of Small Businesses has also made representations on this area. The evidence that we have been hearing is that this is a budget for growth, but this seems to be a key ask, and it is for a reasonably small amount of money relative to the global budget. Indeed, given that the issue cuts across a variety of different stakeholders on the economic side, I just feel that the move could do with being justified a little bit more robustly.

You have not lodged any amendments today but, since you made the budget announcement, the circumstances for universities have changed quite significantly. The medium-sized institutions in Scotland are particularly affected, with some running in-year deficits of up to £15 million. That could have significant impacts on their own budgets. Have you had discussions with the sector about how you could flex or assist in any way?

To be fair, that is not what I was suggesting; I was suggesting that the circumstances have materially changed. That will affect employment for people in those institutions and it will affect their financial stability. I am asking whether you have had conversations with them about how robust the sector is. That is a pretty reasonable question to ask.

Last time you were here, I asked about the £28.5 million cut to universities’ teaching budgets. I postulated that dividing that by the amount of money that is allocated per head student would result in 3,900 student placement cuts for Scottish students. You said that you did not recognise that figure at that point, but the question is whether you are going to instruct the Scottish Funding Council—as ministers do—to cut the number of places or to cut the amount that is available per student. Are you any further forward in making that instruction to the Scottish Funding Council?

Councillor Steven Heddle said:

“Despite the Verity House Agreement rhetoric about working together on shared priorities it is the same outcome at Budget time for Local Government in reality.”

He does not really agree with you that there is a big range of other areas. The budget is the core issue right now, and councillors do not feel that they are being treated fairly or being given the truth by ministers.

You did not lay it out previously.

I am sorry—did you say that there is nothing different?

You recognise how difficult this budget settlement is for local government at the moment—