28 November 2003
The Scottish Executive is planning to improve the scrutiny of its budget by providing a performance report to allow MSPs to assess whether targets are being met.
The move follows criticisms, in evidence given to the Scottish Parliament finance committee, that the current budget process lacks transparency.
Deputy Finance and Public Services Minister Tavish Scott told the committee that the Executive hoped to introduce a report showing whether pledges on a range of services, such as health and education, were being achieved.
Scott claimed that this year's draft budget document had marked further improvements in the level of financial information provided to the Parliament and public.
He suggested it would be worth changing the first stage of the budget process so that the focus could be on past performance.
He said this 'would help to turn stage one into a discussion of strategic priorities by allowing committees to discuss whether targets are correct' and where resources need to be focused.
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