Annabel forces Government to produce timetable on budget detail

In light of Annabel Goldie's question to the First Minister today, the Scottish Government have now released details on when the level 4 detail of the budget will be made available.

Commenting on the details, leader of the Scottish Conservatives Annabel Goldie MSP said:

"This really is remarkable. At first, we cannot get level 4 budget information, committees cannot undertake their work but then, lo and behold, I raise it at First Minister's Questions and the government information system swings into action. Something as fundamental as this should not have to be left to FMQs.

"At least the Government has now confirmed a timetable, but not only is it late but it promises to deliver the information the Committees are requesting now at the end of October. This is a remarkable three weeks later than it took to produce the comparable information last year.

"It merely confirms that this budget is unravelling and the SNP are putting their interests before the democratic processes of this Parliament."

The following update was provided this afternoon by the Scottish Government on the provision of level 4 data:

"The agreed position is as follows.

As in previous years, the Scottish Government will be happy to provide Level 4 budget information to Parliament. This is routine practice and we are in the process of assembling and checking the detailed information that is involved.

The Government will ensure the information is provided no later than the first week after the October recess and, where individual Cabinet Secretaries are due to give evidence on the Budget at subject committees that week, we will ensure that the relevant portfolio information is made available ahead of those committee meetings."

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