Budget boost; 7000 MORE JOBS FACE AXE AS ECONOMIC GLOOM DEEPENS.

THE SNP's pounds 33billion budget cleared its first parliamentary hurdle last night.

MSPs backed the spending plans in a preliminary vote.

But opposition parties called for changes when the budget goes before a committee for detailed scrutiny.

Labour say more cash should be directed towards boosting the economy.

The Tories want tougher measures to fight hospital superbugs but their 16 MSPs are expected to support finance secretary John Swinney's plans.

He told MSPs the budget was "designed to address the needs of the people of Scotland in these challenging economic times".