09:51

While Brexit machinations continue at Westminster, Thursday at Holyrood sees the first parliamentary vote on the SNP’s budget, with cross-party negotiations ongoing to muster enough support to pass the SNP minority government’s plans. While the SNP have previously relied upon the Scottish Greens, this year a row over council funding means their support is still wavering.

Indeed, the Scotsman is reporting this morning that Nicola Sturgeon has warned her party to prepare for a possible Scottish election if the Holyrood government fails to pass its budget today. According to the Scotsman, during a meeting of the SNP group at Westminster attended by Sturgeon on Monday, she warned her MPs that they should prepare for a snap Holyrood election if the SNP government fails to get its budget through. This adds to speculation that Sturgeon may seek a fresh mandate from the electorate to secure another referendum on independence, as she prepares to reveal her plans in the coming weeks.

The Scottish Green’s Andy Wightman was on BBC Radio Scotland this morning insisting that his party were not being “obstructive”. Although they have the promise of legislation by the end of this parliament and a green light for a local tourist tax, the sticking point remains their call for a hefty increase in spending on local government this year. It’s going to be a long day at Holyrood.