The Committee is undertaking scrutiny work for the budget strategy phase with a view to informing the Committee’s consideration of the 2011-12 budget.

Introduction

In its 2009 report on the review of the budget process the Finance Committee recommended that “a strategic budget scrutiny phase should be undertaken at least once in each session of the Parliament.” The aim of this phase is to take a strategic overview of the public finances with a view to identifying priorities for the forthcoming draft budget.

In light of this the Equal Opportunities Committee agreed to undertake a brief inquiry to contribute to the work of the Finance Committee as follows-

How do we ensure that the provision of public services aimed at equality groups is adequately maintained during a period of tightening public expenditure?

Call for evidence

The Committee issued a call for written evidence which has now closed. Submissions received can be found below.  

• Call for evidence
• Submissions received

Oral Evidence

The Committee held the following oral evidence sessions on the inquiry:

23 March 2010

• Papers 6 (273KB pdf first posted 18.03.2010)
• Official Report
• Minute of Proceedings

20 April 2010

• Papers 7 (625KB pdf first posted 16.04.2010)
• Official Report
• Minute of Proceedings

4 May 2010

• Papers 8
• Official Report
• Minute of Proceedings
• Further written submissions from Scottish Government:

                            11 May 2010 ( 41.8KB pdf first posted 11.05.2010)

                            14 June 2010 (28 KB pdf first posted 14.06.2010)

The Committee agreed a draft report on Budget Strategy Phase 2011-12 at its meeting on 18 May 2010.

On 9 June 2010 the Finance Committee published its report on Budget Strategy Phase. The Equal Opportunities report to the Finance Committee can be found here.

For specific information on this work, please contact Rebecca Lamb, Assistant Clerk to the Committee on 0131 348 5213 or rebecca.lamb@scottish.parliament.uk