Finance Secretary John Swinney says he will not interfere with Fiscal Commission
- Published
John Swinney answered questions from MSPs at Holyrood
Scotland's finance secretary has told MSPs he will not interfere with the work of the new Fiscal Commission.
John Swinney came before members of the finance committee the day after the Scottish government made public its plans for the coming year.
The commission will scrutinise new tax and borrowing powers heading to Holyrood from Westminster and will make economic forecasts to parliament.
Mr Swinney said he had "no control" over the "independent" body.
MSPs have begun debating the government's legislative programme which will feature eight bills, including;
Abusive Behaviour and Sexual Harm Bill
Bankruptcy Consolidation Bill
Budget Bill
Burial and Cremation Bill
Lobbying Bill
Private Tenancies Bill
Scottish Elections (dates) Bill
Scottish Fiscal Commission Bill
Mr Swinney's evidence session to the Holyrood committee focused on the Fiscal Commission which has been set up in the wake of the recommendations of the Smith Commission on more devolution for Scotland.
The minister said: "The fiscal commission has been set up on an independent basis and I have no control over it.
"The only influence I have had over this is who are the members of the fiscal commission.
"I believed it was important that we had to appoint people of very strong professional reputational capability and people of high integrity."
Mr Swinney went on to say that those points were accepted across the parliament's political spectrum.
He added: "So, we have a fiscal commission which is independent, I cannot direct it. It has people of great capability and integrity in its members and it has, as I have demonstrated practically already - it is not even in statute yet - and it has exercised a veto over my forecasts.
"I think that should give people confidence that we have a body that fulfils the key tests of being able to exercise independent judgement."
- Published2 September 2015
