Holyrood’s Finance Committee launches call for views on ‘responding to Scotland’s long-term fiscal pressures

‘Responding to Long-Term Fiscal Pressures’ will be the focus of its scrutiny ahead of the Scottish Budget for 2026-27 being published later this year.

The remit of its inquiry will be:

• to assess - and influence - the Scottish Government’s response to addressing long-term fiscal pressures, including through its key strategic financial documents.

The committee would like to hear from:

• academics
• experts and think-tanks
• public bodies
• businesses
• voluntary sector
• community groups
• groups or individuals interested in the Scottish Budget.

Finance and Public Administration Committee Convener Kenneth Gibson MSP said:

“The focus of our pre-budget scrutiny this year is very much on how the Scottish Government plans to start responding to Scotland’s long-term fiscal pressures now, given the significant issues that lie ahead for Scotland over the next 50 years.

“We’ll closely examine pressure from population trends, how the government plans to increase productivity and economic activity, and how it will support growth in key sectors to boost economic performance and tax revenues.

“We’ll also be assessing the extent to which the Scottish Government’s first medium-term financial strategy in over two years demonstrates improved strategic financial planning when it’s published in late June.”

Mr Gibson added:

“Our committee has repeatedly urged the Scottish Government to improve its strategic thinking and long-term fiscal management, so this will be a really important parliamentary inquiry.”