Lack of budget detail shows ‘fundamental disregard’ for Parliament

Speaking after FMQs today, Annabel Goldie MSP, Scottish Conservative Leader, said:

"The First Minister and his Government are already characterised by arrogance and complacency. However there is a new element of smugness which is Scottish Government speak for 'we can do what we like in this Parliament and no one can touch us.'

"That the detailed, level 4 figures of the budget have still not been published embodies this philosophy and keeps the much vaunted £750 million for capital, shrouded in mystery. Last year the figures were available within eleven days.

"The First Minister said that the Government is providing this information to Committees at the right time – why then, are Committee Convenors writing to the Government demanding this information? They clearly don't feel that they're being provided with the information at the right time and until I asked my question no one had any clue when the figures would come out.

"This shows a fundamental disregard and disrespect for the institution of this Parliament and its committees which are there to serve the democratic interests of the Scottish people – not the self-indulgent interests of the Scottish Government."

The following information was provided yesterday from SPICe:

Last year's budget was published on 17 November and FSU requested 'level 4' data as soon as possible after the publication of the 2011-12 draft budget. The draft budget was of course scrutinised by the Parliament in a relatively compressed timescale last year.

Ten working days after publication of the 2011-12 draft budget the Parliament had been provided with 'level 4' figures for five committees. After the same period this year the Parliament has been provided with any Level 4 figures for the 2012-13 draft budget for one committee, Rural Affairs and Environment.

As it currently stands we have no indication of when Level 4 figures might be made available.

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