Briefing to Scottish Parliament in relation to budget debate on 2 February 2017

Briefing

The importance of our communities - particularly those whose voices are least heard - must be remembered during this budget debate. As all MSPs recognise, the decisions they make during the debate will have a very real impact on the lives of individuals, and we hope that they will continue to be at the forefront of MSPs’ minds when deciding which amendments to support as regards the budget. With this in mind, budget allocations should be made on the basis of the policy outcomes that need to be achieved, across a broad spectrum of aims – not just growth in GDP. Whilst the National Performance Framework (NPF) is still welcome, generally speaking, it has not facilitated sufficient movement away from a singular focus on GDP as the overarching indicator of success, nor has there been any real effort (that we can see) to connect budget allocations to NPF goals, or, indeed, to any other broader measures. We hope MSPs bear these broader policy aims in mind when negotiating the budget. Furthermore, Scottish Government ought to provide evidence as to how the measures announced will impact different groups in society, using vigorous equality impact assessments to do so. In future, this should take place before budgetary decisions are made, and the results shared publically. Moreover, the full range of powers – including tax raising powers – should be used to ensure that Scotland’s people and environment are best-served. As an example, rather than reducing air passenger duty (which itself will lead to an increase in air pollution), it would be possible to keep that money and put it towards something that would benefit communities across Scotland, such as extra support to families with children, say. Such a change would reduce incidences of child poverty in Scotland, and is surely a policy that could be supported by all parties. Also, the budget should be increasingly done openly and partnership with the people affected. If budgets were opened up to proper scrutiny, it would be possible for those outside of governments to help assess whether funds are being spent in a way that has the most positive impact on society as possible. The Open Government agenda can help with this. Linked to this, participatory budgeting is a good example of open and transparent decision-making, and should be increasingly applied across all public authorities. Finally, as Scotland’s national third sector body, we would like too to say that the third sector continues to support many individuals across Scotland. In these challenging times, we hope that the work of the sector continues to be recognised and supported by Parliament.

About us

The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) is the national body representing the third sector. There are over 45,000 voluntary organisations in Scotland involving around 138,000 paid staff and approximately 1.3 million volunteers. The sector manages an income of £4.9 billion. We work to the following mission: To support people to take voluntary action to help themselves and others, and to bring about social change. We have over 1,600 members who range from individuals and grassroots groups, to Scotland-wide organisations and intermediary bodies. As the only inclusive representative umbrella organisation for the sector SCVO:

• has the largest Scotland-wide membership from the sector – our 1,600 members include charities, community groups, social enterprises and voluntary organisations of all shapes and sizes
• our governance and membership structures are democratic and accountable - with an elected board and policy committee from the sector, we are managed by the sector, for the sector
• brings together organisations and networks connecting across the whole of Scotland
• SCVO works to support people to take voluntary action to help themselves and others, and to bring about social change.

Contact

Jenny Bloomfield Policy Team Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations Email: politicalengagement@scvo.scot Tel: 0131 474 8000 www.scvo.scot