MSPs have called on the Scottish Government to provide \u201cmuch greater transparency\u201d on progress to close a near \u00a35bn fiscal gap and to meet public service reform targets.<\/p>\n
In a report published today, the Finance and Public Administration Committee stated that it is not currently possible to determine whether the government\u2019s tax and spending plans are affordable and sustainable \u2013 which was the purpose of the latest inquiry.<\/p>\n
The committee also warned that the Scottish Budget faces \u201csubstantial risks\u201d if the government does not implement its Fiscal Sustainability Delivery Plan.<\/p>\n
Committee convener Clare Haughey said: \u201cOur committee recognises the scale of the pressure on the Scottish Budget, particularly in 2027-28, however we have insufficient evidence to determine whether the Scottish Government\u2019s tax and spending plans are affordable and sustainable.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are also concerned that the Scottish Budget faces substantial risks if the three pillars of its Fiscal Sustainability Delivery Plan – including ambitious public service reform targets – are not delivered in full and on time.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe therefore call on the Scottish Government to provide much greater transparency on progress in closing the fiscal gap and meeting reform targets.\u201d<\/p>\n
Setting out the committee\u2019s recommendations, Haughey said that as a first step, the government should publish an updated Fiscal Sustainability Delivery Plan alongside the Budget on 3 December.<\/p>\n
\u201cFrom 2027, we expect the government to resume annual publication of its Medium-Term Financial Strategy and commit to regular spending reviews given the greater predictability of the UK review cycle,\u201d she continued, concluding:\u00a0\u201cWe also urge the government to update its public sector pay policy and tax strategy at the earliest opportunity.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Holyrood committee demands transparency from the government ahead of the Budget this time next month<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":278857,"featured_media":8723,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[120782],"coauthors":[137126],"class_list":["post-8722","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-economy","tag-featured-story","tag-scotland"],"yoast_head":"\n