Holyrood backs new budget process

Holyrood has backed what has been described as the biggest overhaul of its budget process since devolution.

MSPS voted through changes which mean the Scottish Government will for the first time have to set out a Medium Term Financial Strategy later in May.

The change comes after powers over income tax and some benefits were devolved to the Scottish Parliament. Bruce Crawford, convener of Holyrood’s Finance Committee, last night said: “This evening’s endorsement of Holyrood’s new scrutiny arrangement marks the start of a cultural change and the biggest overhaul of the Parliament’s budget process since the start of devolution.”

The Government will also have to publish a Fiscal Framework Outturn Report each autumn.