Budget Process 2005-06

Part of the debate – in the Scottish Parliament at 9:52 am on 23 December 2004.

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Photo of Jim Mather Jim Mather Scottish National Party 9:52, 23 December 2004

I, too, thank my colleagues, our adviser, Arthur Midwinter, and the great team of people—including the clerks and representatives of SPICe—who maintain and support the Finance Committee. This year's stage 2 report is further evidence that the committee and those who advise it will not shrink from challenging that which needs to be challenged. I am proud that the committee has called for a top-level target or forecast on economic growth and that it has exposed the weaknesses in the Executive's claimed efficiency savings, especially its tendency to inflate and multiply claimed savings.

The committee's report is significant; it exposes the Executive's weaknesses in managing economic strategy and in day-to-day operational efficiency. It is also pleasing evidence that SNP arguments continue to bear fruit. We have already forced the Executive to make economic growth its top priority and to acknowledge the dangers that Scotland faces from population and demographic change. Now, as a result of the Finance Committee's report, civic and corporate Scotland will expect a target for economic growth and a material improvement in Government productivity and financial efficiency.