Committee report on National Outcomes highlights mismatches in economic approaches
- Area of Work: Policy and Research
- Type: News Item
- Published: 15th November 2024
The report notes the focus on the wellbeing economy in the National Outcomes differs from the First Minister's priority for economic growth.
The Scottish Parliament’s Finance and Public Administration Committee have published a report following their inquiry into the review of the National Outcomes. The Scottish Government have undertaken a review of the National Performance Framework (NPF) and the outcomes underpinning it, and have proposed a range of changes including the introduction of a new National Outcome on Care which the Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland (the ALLIANCE) have warmly welcomed.
In their report, the Committee re-emphasise the need for an effective implementation plan for the NPF, and welcome that the Scottish Government have committed to developing such a plan. They also noted a lack of consistency across different areas of government. Whilst the new purpose statement for the National Outcomes now includes a focus on the wellbeing economy, this role was removed from Cabinet portfolios earlier this year. Instead, the First Minister’s priorities include a focus on traditional economic growth.
This was a key point made by the ALLIANCE in our evidence to the Committee on 1 October this year. Reflecting on the fact that the “wellbeing economy” had been removed from Ministerial portfolios but embedded within the proposed purpose of the National Outcomes, our Senior Policy Officer Allan Faulds said: “Why is the Government moving away from a wellbeing economy in one area, having previously moved further in that direction, while moving further towards a wellbeing economy in a different area? … There almost seems to be a disconnect, whereby different parts of Government are going in different directions…”
The Committee have also suggested that consideration should be given to changing the name of the NPF, particularly given the shift in focus towards wellbeing. They have recommended that further consultation on this is undertaken by the Scottish Government. Similarly the report emphasises the clear need, as the ALLIANCE and others have argued, for a participative process to develop the National Indicators that will measure progress towards the National Outcomes.
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