Public audit committee calls for views on arrangements for organisations after further devolution

Organisations such as the BBC, Department of Work and Pensions, British Transport Police and the Crown Estate will, under the UK government proposals, report to the Scottish parliament or will have a specific Scottish focus with the further devolution of some of their activities.

Convener of the committee Paul Martin MSP said: “The proposals for more devolution involve the transfer to Scotland of a number of new powers currently delivered by UK organisations.

“As the committee in the Scottish parliament responsible for scrutinising how well the public pound is being spent, our committee wants to help make sure we get the accountability process for these new powers right from day one.

“The people of Scotland will expect a strong and independent audit system to be in place to report on how these organisations are spending money to the benefit of Scotland.

“As a committee we are looking for views on how to best meet that expectation, looking at what, when and how the performance and expenditure of those who will be delivering the proposed new powers in Scotland should be reported to the Scottish Parliament.”

The committee has issued its call for views on the adequacy of the audit and accountability arrangements proposed in the UK command paper: “Scotland in the United Kingdom: An enduring settlement”.

This examination builds upon the work of the committee during 2012 – 2013 when it considered the framework for auditing the Scottish rate of income tax, which begins operating on 1 April 2016.

The questions being raised by the committee include: