Finance and Public Administration Committee
Fiscal Framework Review - Scottish Government
Letter from the Convener to the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Economy of 7 October 2021
Dear Cabinet Secretary
Thank you for meeting with me last week to discuss the Fiscal Framework Review, alongside the Deputy Convener, and the Convener of the Social Justice and Social Security Committee.
The Finance and Public Administration Committee, at its meeting on 5 October, noted that this review is to be informed by an independent report with recommendations presented to both the UK and Scottish governments by the end of 2021. The Committee therefore agreed to write to you and the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, seeking updates on progress towards commissioning this independent report and agreeing the scope of the review, as well as confirmation as to whether the timeframe set out in the Fiscal Framework is likely to be met.
For your information, the Committee has also agreed to draw to the attention of the new Chief Secretary to Treasury, Simon Clarke MP, the joint report produced by the Session 5 Finance and Constitution and Social Security committees and yourself, which was intended to inform the scope and terms of reference of the body tasked with delivering the independent report. We have also sought assurances that the joint report has been, or will be, used to inform the scope and terms of reference of the review.
You mentioned during evidence to the Committee on 5 October that you are due to meet with the Chief Secretary to the Treasury again in the coming weeks. I hope that the Committee’s letter is helpful in progressing matters further and I understand that the Convener of the Social Justice and Social Security Committee is also writing on similar terms.
Yours sincerely