Question reference: S6W-27336
- Asked by: Audrey Nicoll, MSP for Aberdeen South and North Kincardine, Scottish National Party
- Date lodged: 7 May 2024
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Current status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Shona Robison on 7 May 2024
Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the timing of the 2024 Medium-Term Financial Strategy, draft Tax Strategy and reset of the Infrastructure Investment Plan Pipeline.
Answer
The Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) sets out the Scottish Government’s strategy for delivering fiscal sustainability, the economic and fiscal outlooks for the next five years and key fiscal risks over the medium term.
The MTFS was due to be published on Thursday 30 May. The MTFS was due to published as part of a suite of publications including the draft Tax Strategy, and the Infrastructure Investment Plan Annual report, which will include the reset of the pipeline. However, as a result of the resignation of the previous First Minister these will need to be postponed. This decision was based on several factors, with key policy decisions unable to take place to meet agreed deadlines with the Scottish Fiscal Commission (SFC), who were due to provide updated fiscal and economic forecasts alongside the MTFS on 30 May.
We recognise the vital role these documents play in allowing this Parliament to conduct pre-Budget scrutiny and will communicate a new date for publication as soon as possible. We have also asked the SFC to pause work on developing its forecasts, with this recommencing once a new date has been agreed.