Criticism as UK minister ‘unwilling’ to answer questions from MSPS

A Holyrood committee has criticised a senior UK government minister, saying it is “not acceptable” that Chief Secretary to the Treasury Liz Truss has refused to appear before MSPS. Members of the Scottish Parliament’s finance and constitution committee said they were “deeply concerned about the refusal”.

They hit out after the Conservativeministersaidshewas “unable to accept” an invitation to answer questions from MSPS about the operation of the fiscal framework – the deal which set out how Scotland’s block grant will change to take account of Holyrood’s new tax raising powers.

In a letter to the committee, Ms Truss stated the operation of the fiscal framework was a “shared responsibility” for the Scottish and UK governments.

She added: “The UK government is accountable to the UK Parliament for its role in operating the fiscal framework, and the Scottish Government is accountable to the Scottish Parliament.”

But committee members insisted they had “consistently emphasised” the need for a UK Treasury minister to answer their questions on the operation of the framework – pointing out previous holders of the role had come to Holyrood “on a number of occasions”.

The MSPS said: “The committee has repeatedly stated that full transparency is an essential element in securing public confidence in the operation of the Fiscal Framework.

“It is, therefore, not acceptable that the Chief Secretary to the Treasury or any other UK minister is unwilling to appear before the committee to discuss the block grant.”