The First Minister said he would not comment on what would be in the upcoming budget but added that investment in public services was vital.

John Swinney has not dismissed the possibility of freezing tax thresholds as a means to boost the Holyrood Government's income in the impending Scottish budget.

John Swinney has refused to rule out freezing the tax thresholds in the Scottish Budget later this year. The First Minister said he would not comment on what would be included ahead of time. He said measures taken by the UK Chancellor at the end of the month would have a big impact on what the Scottish Government could announce in December.