The Public Audit Committee looks at reports published by the Auditor General for Scotland to examine whether public money is being spent efficiently and effectively.
On 10 October 2024, the Auditor General for Scotland published the 2023/24 audit of the Scottish Government Consolidated Accounts.
The report says " The Scottish Government continues to respond to emerging financial pressures to balance the budget. The options being applied provide short term relief, but their one-off nature means they do not address the overall unsustainable financial position for the Scottish public sector."
The Committee discussed the report at the following meetings in relation to its work programme.
Minutes of the meeting on 29 January 2025 (Work Programme):
In relation to the 2023/24 audit of the Scottish Government Consolidated Accounts, the Committee agreed to await follow up written evidence from the Scottish Government before considering its next steps.
The report was discussed at the following Committee meetings:
The Committee has sent and received the following correspondence during scrutiny of the report:
Correspondence to the Convener from Gregor Irwin, Director-General Economy, Scottish Government, 4 April 2025
Correspondence from the Convener to Gregor Irwin, Director-General Economy, Scottish Government, 17 March 2025
Correspondence to the Deputy Convener from John Paul Marks, Permanent Secretary to the Scottish Government, 26 February 2025
Correspondence to the Convener from Gregor Irwin, Director-General Economy, Scottish Government, 7 February 2025
Correspondence to the Convener from Gregor Irwin, Director-General Economy, Scottish Government, 17 January 2025
Correspondence to the Convener from Jackie McAllister, Chief Financial Officer, Scottish Government, 29 October 2024
Correspondence to the Convener from Stephen Boyle, the Auditor General for Scotland, 27 November 2024