THE date for the next Scottish budget has been announced amid heightened uncertainty caused by the rogue Westminster government.
John Swinney said on Thursday that Holyrood will be presented with the next budget on December 15 – but warned continuing “turmoil and uncertainty” around the UK’s budget – which needs to come before Scotland’s – is causing concern among officials in Edinburgh.
It was the last possible date the timing for the next update could be announced because of concern about the timing needed for independent scrutiny of the Government’s plans.
Kwasi Kwarteng is expected to deliver the next budget – after his “fiscal event”, which rocked markets and torpedoed the Government’s credibility – on November 23.
The Scottish Fiscal Commission – Edinburgh’s economic watchdog – needs 10 weeks to prepare its forecasts which aid Holyrood scrutiny of the Government’s spending plans.
Swinney – who is acting Finance Secretary because Kate Forbes is on maternity leave – expressed concern about the timing of the UK budget, telling Holyrood’s finance committee: "It is becoming less clear if the UK Government will publish the OBR forecasts earlier than the originally announced date of November 23”.
He suggested his officials were concerned the date for the UK budget could be changed, citing the “uncertainty and volatility” of the current Tory administration under Liz Truss.
He added: “I must stress that this risks creating an exceptionally challenging timeframe in which to deliver the Scottish Budget.
“In these uncertain times, we will need to be ready to adapt flexibly and prudently to ensure that Scotland’s interests are best protected.
“As you will be aware, the SFC requires a minimum of 10 weeks to prepare for its forecasts and given the uncertainty and volatility of UK Government’s plans, we may need to revisit our plans if there are implications for this 10-week period.”
