ALLIANCE responds to the Inquiry into the Scottish budget process in practice
- Area of Work: The ALLIANCE
- Type: News Item
- Published: 28th March 2025
There has been progress in improving engagement in the Scottish budget process, but more work is needed.
The ALLIANCE have submitted a response to the Scottish Parliament Finance and Public Administration Committee’s Inquiry into the Scottish budget process in practice.
Although the ALLIANCE is not a public finance specialist, like many third sector organisations we actively engage with the budget process each year. This includes direct engagement with Parliament through pre-budget scrutiny and occasionally with Government through meetings and roundtables, as well as the circulation of a pre-budget briefing to MSPs and writing to relevant Ministers and MSPs in support of key asks.
Through the pre-budget scrutiny process, the ALLIANCE feel that our voice and expertise are heard by the Scottish Parliament, which has taken a positive approach to engagement. However, we consider that it remains difficult for individuals or smaller organisations which lack capacity and expertise to engage with the process and are concerned that the lack of a voice for seldom heard groups could contribute to poorer outcomes.
Whilst Parliament may be making space to hear views as part of pre-budget scrutiny, it is far from clear that this is having a significant impact on the final shape of the budget. It is also often unclear how the many existing frameworks and priorities are embedded within the Scottish Government’s budgetary work.
The ALLIANCE continue to recommend a human rights budgeting process be adopted across government and parliament, supporting the effective use of resources and accountability for financial decisions. This should be supported by clearly demonstrated alignment with existing frameworks and priorities, and with financial strategies and documents that have a clear purpose and vision.
You can read the full response via the resource links below.
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